New data on distribution of the wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Podillia, Ukraine

During 2016–2019, new data on the wildcat’s distribution in Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, and Ternopil regions were obtained. The data concern 4 findings of the wildcat whereof 3 findings are dead specimens (a dead female in a poacher’s automatic trap, 2 specimens (male and female) hunted by a poacher, one specimen killed during the red fox population control measures in Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, and one specimens recorded by a camera trap in Medobory Nature Reserve. The article provides detailed data on new findings of the species in Podillia and describes the environmental factors influencing its population, as well as provides recommendations on protection of the wildcat in the region. The frequency of occurrence of the wildcat in Podillia has been growing for several years. Nevertheless, the data remain incidental and occasional thus cannot indicate the growth of the species abundance in the region. Most of the located specimens were found dead on roads, in poacher traps or even killed during population control measures in the territory of protected areas. According to the information provided by Kamianets-Podilskyi organization of the Ukrainian Hunter and fishermen Society, its associate hunting teams annually obtain more than 100 specimens of feral cats, among which supposedly there is a great number of wildcats. Currently, spaying feral cats is the key element for preservation of the wildcat population in general, nevertheless, this aim remains unfulfilled only because this issue is not addressed properly thus a significant number of intact pets maintains contacts with the wildcat outside the human settlements. Ecological educational programs are an essential measure for the wildcat protection, especially in its habitats, though usually such work is aimed at both current and remote prospects. It is expected that a ban for hunting of feral cats in habitats of the wildcat implemented by including the appropriate paragraph into the population control permit issued by the Ecology and Natural Resources Department should enhance the species’ preservation in the near future. Availability of long-distance photographic equipment for locating the wildcat (such as camera traps) and monitoring system implementation at least on sites of protected areas would provide the required data on the abundance and distribution of the wildcat in the region allowing to improve measure for its protection and conservation