Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

Five Sisters Zoo celebrates first birthday of adorable rare wildcat kittens

A popular Scottish zoo is celebrating the first birthday of three of its most adorable animals.

The Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, near Livingston, revealed on Facebook that the adventurous trio of Scottish wildcat kittens were turning one.

Born at the park last year, the rare kittens, two boys and a girl, have been named Barra, Rum and Rona after the Scottish islands.

The theme follows the previous kittens born at the park - Harris, Arran and Jura.

With estimates of only 35 remaining in the wild, Scottish wildcats are 50 times rarer than the giant panda, and the tiny population is under threat from the destruction of their natural habitat and local un-neutered domestic cats, who are breeding with them.

But it is hoped that the international breeding programme and other projects like it will be able to save the species from extinction and births of litters like this one are vital.

The little trio are regularly spotted exploring their enclosure and have become a big draw in their own right.

One fan wrote: "Arrrgh! Cuteness overload! Happy birthday little 'uns."

While another added: "Aww bless, a puuurrrrrfect family photo."

Don't miss the top culture and heritage stories from around Scotland. Sign up to our twice weekly Scotland Now newsletter here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.