CAMERA STOLEN IN CLASHINDARROCH
Hi All
It is with a sense of disbelief that we are sending this email. Just over 2 weeks ago, we set a camera at a site where we had previously found wildcats. The beautiful wildcat above is one such wildcat and the location is situated within the planned windfarm development.
As we always do when setting cameras, we fully recce the area. In doing so we saw a large number of trees with pink dots spray painted on them. This is a clear sign of imminent logging. Given that this is a key wildcat area, we immediately contacted Forest and Land Scotland, strongly requesting that no logging should take place. We emailed their Head office and shortly afterwards received a call from the regional manager. He is called Mark Crowley. He knew the site area and said he would be in touch after he had spoken to colleagues.
We heard nothing, and so last Friday (26/09/25) we headed to the site to rebait the camera. As we approached, we could see another camera that wasn’t ours and was bolted to a tree. Then as we looked to where our camera was located (about 10 metres away), it was clear that our camera had been stolen.
For the avoidance of doubt, this site is deep within the Clashindarroch and in ten years of monitoring, we have never seen any person walk in this area. The only people outside of our organisation who knew the camera position, were members of senior management at Forestry and Land Scotland and their Regional manager, Mark Crowley who oversees local operations in the area.
The camera is not in a position that a person would ‘stumble’ upon it. It is our firm belief that our camera has been looked for and then stolen. Not only are the cameras valuable, but the data that is on that camera could be priceless. If there was a wildcat on that camera, it would of course be further strong evidence to stop the windfarm. It could stop any planned operations. All we can say is that in nearly ten years of camera trapping in the Clashindarroch, we have never had a camera stolen. On the one occasion that we inform Forest and Land Scotland of the location, then the camera disappears. There are tens of millions of pounds at stake here for Vattenfall and Forest and land Scotland. It is simply a fact that Vattenfall have previously withheld data showing the presence of wildcats. Nothing is beyond the parties involved here in betraying the Clashindarroch wildcats.
We have lodged a crime report and for transparency, the reference is PS- 20250927-0314. We are due to speak to the authorities later today.
So, there you have it, you now have the situation report. We stand firm and hope that whoever took the camera faces justice. This is the rarest feline on earth and this conduct is beyond appalling.
We will keep you updated and our resolve to save the Clashindarroch and it’s priceless wildcats is stronger than ever. We will work with the authorities to get to the bottom of this. Our lawyers are briefed and have already swung into action as they always do.
Without us, these wildcats would have no voice but if we stand together this is a fight we can win. Exposing the lies, dirty tactics, covers ups etc is all part of that vital process.
Things are really escalating now and as you have always done, you can support our fight at this link. We need you more than ever:
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/wildcats/
Thanks as always and we will of course keep you posted on developments.
Emily and an even more determined Wildcat Haven Team.