The news that European wildcats could return to England for the first time in 100 years has captured national attention. A major feasibility study has found that reintroducing wildcats to south-west England, specifically mid-Devon, is realistic, supported by local communities and ecologically sound.
This development is more than a wildlife story. It’s a blueprint for rewilding, habitat restoration and community-led conservation . All themes central to our mission at LettsSafari.
A two-year study led by the South West Wildcat Project (involving Devon Wildlife Trust, Forestry England and Derek Gow Consultancy) concluded that releasing 40–50 wildcats into Devon from 2027 onwards is feasible.
Key findings include:
This study marks the most credible wildcat-return plan England has seen in a century.
The potential return of the wildcat is a powerful reminder of what rewilding can achieve, when habitat, science and people align.
The study highlights how connected landscapes (woodland joined to grassland and scrub) create resilience. This mirrors what we promote at LettsSafari: Even small rewilded spaces (gardens, parks, balconies) become powerful when connected.
The wildcat project shows that local buy-in is essential. People don’t just tolerate rewilding - they champion it when they understand the benefits.
Rewilding is more than releasing animals. It requires:
Smaller-scale rewilding at home works the same way: success comes from ongoing care, not one-off planting.
The wildcat’s story proves that lost species and habitats can recover with the right plan.
This message lies at the heart of LettsSafari’s mission: Restoration begins one small space at a time .
While the study is positive, these challenges must be managed:
None of these are insurmountable, but they require consistency, investment and patience.
The next steps likely include:
If successful, wildcats could be seen in England’s countryside again by 2027.
At LettsSafari, we focus on rewilding smaller spaces - from parks to gardens to balconies - because these micro-habitats support wider ecological recovery.
The wildcat story reinforces several truths we work with every day:
When you subscribe to LettsSafari, you support real-world restoration, from wildflower regeneration to pollinator habitats—helping rebuild ecosystems, one patch at a time.
The possible return of wildcats to England shows what happens when nature is given space, and when communities choose restoration over decline.
For us at LettsSafari, it’s a reminder that every patch of land matters, from the largest woodland to the smallest balcony box. Rewilding is not a grand gesture - it’s a movement built from many small, hopeful acts.
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No. Wildcats avoid people and pose no risk to humans or livestock. They mainly hunt small mammals.
Centuries of persecution and habitat loss caused their decline and eventual disappearance.
The feasibility study found that south-west England, particularly mid-Devon, provides the right woodland and scrub habitat.
If approved, releases could begin in 2027.
The principles are the same:
healthy habitats, native species, and people actively involved in restoration.
