Offspring of the European wildcats in the Oberrabenstein game reserve
The European wildcats at the Oberrabenstein wildlife enclosure have had offspring. Four kittens were discovered in the enclosure's whelping box on 22 March 2026. The young wildcats are now curiously exploring the outdoor enclosure.
After a gestation period of around nine weeks, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) usually gives birth to three to five kittens in a protected hiding place. The kittens are so-called nestlings and are born blind. They only open their eyes after around nine days. Therefore, the chance of spotting the kittens outside the whelping box in the first few weeks of their lives is rather low.
As wildcats are mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, their main period of activity usually only begins after sunset. However, with a bit of luck, visitors can now also observe the young wildcats in the outdoor enclosure during the day.
The European wildcat is often confused with feral domestic cats, but is not an ancestral form of domestic cat. These are descended from the African wildcat, also known as the hawkcat. European wildcats are significantly stronger than domestic cats. An adult wild cat can weigh up to eight kilograms. Another typical feature is the bushy, approximately 30-centimetre-long tail with three distinctive black rings and a blunt black tip.
In the natural distribution areas, crossbreeding between wild and domestic cats can occasionally occur. However, the resulting so-called hybrid cats usually have little chance of survival in the wild.
Protection of species remains of great importance
Despite positive developments, the European wildcat is still a protected native wild animal species that is dependent on support. After almost disappearing in Germany, several thousand animals have been able to re-establish themselves in recent years - including outside the remaining core habitats and in other low mountain regions.
This encouraging trend shows the effect of consistent species conservation measures. Nevertheless, the wildcat is still dependent on the protection and reconnection of its habitats. Road traffic, habitat loss and human disturbance continue to pose major challenges. In addition, there is a high mortality rate among kittens: only with a bit of luck does one in four born kittens reach adulthood. This makes it all the more important to permanently secure suitable habitats and further minimise disturbance so that former habitats can be recolonised in the long term. Successful breeding programmes such as those at the Oberrabenstein game reserve make an important contribution to the conservation and protection of this native wild animal species.
Opening times (April to September)
Chemnitz Zoo: daily 9 am to 7 pm
Oberrabenstein Wildlife Park: daily 9 am to 6 pm
Last admission and ticket office closes one hour before closing time.
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de