Very few people have ever had the thrill of observing the Scottish wildcat in its natural habitat, but the cats themselves are experts in surveillance.
On a blazing hot day at Highland Wildlife Park, the trees sheltering the wildcat enclosure provide a haven of cool, zesty air. This is the cheat's way to see wildcats but it provides an unbeatable front-row view, and this morning's visitors are in for an appearance by today's celebrity guests, the wildcat kittens. All that's visible of them is a squirming ball of fawn and grey fur that suddenly springs apart to become two tiny cats, who each stand unsteadily for a moment looking dazed. Then one bats the other provocatively with his forepaw and they're rolling around again, miniature teeth bared with mock ferocity, bashing into their mother, Susie, who is basking in the sunlight.
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