Sanctuary's tiny wild cat to join breeding scheme

Sanctuary's tiny wild cat to join breeding schemeJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCraig BuchanSouth EastThe Big Cat SanctuaryThe Big Cat Sanctuary is building new enclosures for rusty-spotted catsAn animal sanctuary says its conservation centre for a species of small wild cats will join an international breeding programme.Rusty-spotted cats will have three outdoor enclosures at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, when a new facility is officially opened in July.The organisation said resident male rusty-spotted cat Kuda would be joined by a female later in 2026 at the enclosures under the breeding scheme.The nocturnal animals - native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal - are about half the size of domestic cats, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.The international group classifies the cat as having a "near threatened" conservation status.The Kent sanctuary said animals would be monitored by thermal cameras and have climate-controlled heat zones at the indoor component of the new facility.The Big Cat SanctuaryThe planned new facility, shown in CGI, is set to have climate-controlled zones and rainfall systemsAutomated rainfall systems would mimic natural weather and support breeding success, according to the facility.The Big Cat Sanctuary managing director Cam Whitnall said the development represented "a huge milestone not only for our sanctuary, but for the future conservation of the Rusty-spotted cat globally".The charity hoped creating the enclosures would "help secure a sustainable future population while inspiring greater awareness and protection" for the cats, he said.Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.More on this storyCheetah conservation centre plan launched by charityCT scans reveal hidden health problems of big catsUkranian lynx safely transported to...