Wildcat Radiotracking
Gordon's Wildcat, Felis silvestris gordoni, is being tracked on a nightly basis in order to determine the home range as well as food, ground cover and shelter preferences for these animals.
The tracking equipment used consists of a Nissan Patrol SWB 4x4 especially kitted out for nightly desert driving. Within the vehicle is a 1000 candle power spotlight, hand-held GPS and the radio telemtry receiver, mast and antennae. Extra equipment includes a tyre pressure gauge, a spade and rubber mats. This latter equipment is used in times when the vehicle gets stuck in the sand.
The wildcat currently being tracked is a young female that was caught, measured, radio-collared and the released as part of the programme. She has been tracked now since December 1999.