Wild Cats

There are 40 species of wild cats across the globe, each a master of its specific environment. These species are separated into eight distinct lineages, representing a design that the Felidae family has been refining for nearly 30 million years.

30 Million Years Of Perfection

The Felidae family has been perfecting the predatory form since the Oligocene epoch. While they share a common ancestor, the cats of the world have diverged into specialists—from the mountain-climbing leopards of the Cape to the desert-dwelling sand cats of the North.

Eight Lineages

Panthera (Big Cats)
Bay Cat (SE Asian Specialists)
Caracal (Caracals and Servals)
Ocelot (Americas Small Cats)
Lynx (Tufted-ear Hunters)
Puma (Cheetahs and Cougars)
Leopard Cat (Asian Small Cats)
Felis (Domestic & Wild Cats)

A Modern Masterpiece

While the cat family is ancient, the Felis genus is a relatively recent evolutionary masterpiece, appearing about 3.4 million years ago. Despite being the “newest” branch on the tree, these cats are some of the most resilient hunters on the planet.

Worldwide Wild Cat Conservation

In South Africa, a variety of organizations and projects are dedicated to wildcat conservation, such as the African Wildcat Project by Alley Cat Rescue, the Cheetah Metapopulation Project, and several rehabilitation and reintroduction initiatives aimed at protecting various wildcat species.

Wildcat Conservation

Wild Cat Projects

Wild Cat Sanctuaries

Wild Cat Tours

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