According to the Swiss Wildlife Association, the number of wild cats living in Switzerland has been rising once again. While this is good news for biodiversity, the environmental agency and authorities across the country are now warning visitors to the Swiss mountains and Canton Aargau against trying to touch the animals, especially young kittens.
The European wildcat, also known as the Felis silvestris, first made its comeback in western Swiss cantons - especially Canton Jura - but the population has since spread eastward. According to the Swiss Wildlife Association, the population of European wildcats in Switzerland is now over 1.000.
Most of the cats are located in the foothills of the Swiss and Juran Alps, as well as in Canton Aargau. Experts added that many kittens have recently been born south of Aarau and in the more rural regions of the canton.
For this reason, Canton Aargau is now calling for caution. Many of the young kittens risk being orphaned if their parents see them being petted and handled by humans. The authorities are also warning people not to take the kittens home.
Domestic cats and wildcats can look quite similar, however, there are ways to tell the two species apart. According to Swiss broadcaster SRF, wildcats have pink noses, wide curled tails and a "washed" coat.