BREEDING IS0

regions of Africa (6 from Cameroons (M.3), 9 from Uganda (M.4) and one pair from Sierra Leone (M.141), over 45 young have been born, and of these, some six pairs have been sent to zoos in Europe and North America. The Sierra Leone pair has produced ten litters within the space of five years four months.

It can be seen from our findings that the African civet will breed readily in captivity if sufficient care is taken to satisfy its environmental requirements. It is hoped that with our success in breeding this relatively common species of Viverridae, and with our observations in estab- lishmg previously unrecorded norms, that the demand for further specimens from the wild state will be minimal and that zoos will not make further inroads on the wild population.

A C K N 0 \Y L E D G EM E N T S My thanks to members of the Zoo staff who have

recorded their observations during the last nine years.

REFERENCES I. BEMMEL, A. c. v. VAN (in press) :Breeding tigers as an aid to their survival. (Proceedings of the conference on breeding of endangered species as an aid to their survival - Jersey, May 1972). 2. DORST, J. & DANDELOT P. (1970: Afieldguide to the larger mammals ofAfrica. Collins, London: IC+I 10. 3. JARVIS, C.&MORRISD. (1961): Mammalianlongevity survey. Int. Z o o Yb. 2: 288-299.

4. MALLINSON, J. J. c. (1969): Notes on breeding the African civet Viuerra civctta at Jersey Zoo. Int. Zoo Yb. 9: 92-93. 5 . West Africa. I. Heinemann, London: 110-112.

6. Zambia and Malawi. Collins, London: 43-44.

SHORTRIDGE, G. C. (1934): The nlammak O f S O l l f h -

SMITHERS, R. H. N. (1966): The mammals ofRhodesia.

Manuscript submitted 9 June I972

Breeding Scottish wild cats

at Aberdeen Zoo Frlis siltrcstris ~rarrtpia

GEORGE LESLIE Maiiapr, Aberdeeii Zoological Garderi, ABrrdeeri, Scot h i d , Great Britain

The Scottish wild cats Felis silvestrir grarvpia are kept in an enclosure measuring 12 x 9 m, made of chain llnk fencing on three sides and weldmesh in the front. A rock mound hides an insulated box measuring 1.21 x o*po m which is open at the front; in winter, a plate glass is inscrted in the large opening, leaving only a 30 x 30cni access. Old drainage pipes up to 2.40 m long are sunk into the mound forming a network of corridors. Shrubs, logs, ferns, heather and fir trees were used to simulate a Scottish hillside.

Our older wild-caught pair bred in 1969 and reared two $3 and one 2. We bred them again in 1971 and this time onc 3 and two OC, were reared.

In an adjoining enclosure containing a 3 and three 99, one ? produced a litter of four and although these were not typical they were never- theless true wild cats.

Last year when our older 6 died at the age of eight years seven months, we mixed the two groups and acquired a new, exceptionally large 8 . They are fed hens, whole rabbits, mice, rats and occasionally pigeons. Calcium, bone meal and Bemax are sprinkled over the food. The cats refused tinned cat food or cooked meat.

Manuscript submitted 19 April 1972