Wild Cat Hybrids, What is out there?

Wild cat hybrids are nothing new. As far back as the 19th century, a Siamese cat crossed with a Scottish wild cat felis silvestris silvestris was shown at a UK cat show. Since an ocelot won a prize during the same period, we know that wild cats existed in the UK so wild cat hybrids are not a new phenomena. The fact that breeders were able to cross breed domestic cats with some varieties of wild cat leads me to believe that the wild cats on occasion when left to their own devices would also select a domestic mate, resulting in a 'natural' wild cat hybrid.

However, wild cat hybrids have been the subject of huge controversy.

Why owning wild cat hybrids are not a good thing

1. Domestic hybrids can and do dilute the genetic pool of the native wild cats. The Scottish wild cat, for example, has bred extensively with domestic cats and its genetic pool is now endangered to the point of dying out.

2. Many people believe that all wild cats should be in the wild and are not suitable as pets, however big their artificial cages.

3. The genetic pool of the wild cats in captivity are becoming so weakened that these animals would be a liability if returned to the wild.

4. Zoos and sanctuaries have often faced the problem of freeing captive animals - their animals are too tame to be freed.

5. Habitats are being destroyed and the remaining animals hunted to extinction.

6. Habitat destruction also means animals returned to the wild will have no place to live.

7. Some hybrids are unreliable and unsuitable as pets - backyard breeders are often in it for the money alone. These unsuitable cats are then abandoned in the wild or in sanctuaries.

8. Even where reserves are set aside for wild cats, inbreeding can take place in what is a relatively restricted area.

9. Millions of cats are put to sleep each year - we don't need any more.

Here's what the breeders and wild cat appearance lovers respond

1. Availability of hybrids takes the pressure off having the 'real thing'.

2. Real wild cats often don't make good pets once they're adults, and are often abandoned - hence the need for hybrids.

3. Once wild cats have been domesticated, however little, they can no longer be released into the wild. Instead they spend the rest of their lives in a cage, far from their original owners.

4. Expanding the domestic cat gene pool with the wild cat hybrids genes might produce stronger, sharper and more athletic offspring in the future.

5. These wild-looking hybrids are completely tame, so owners have no problem keeping them.

6. You can't turn your back on what cat lovers want. They'll go somewhere else - probably someplace unsuitable.

7. Many hybrid breeders actually support wild cats' welfare, often more so than armchair detractors.

8. Cat owners often have taken rescue cats in addition to their hybrids. I have several domestic cats (including a Siamese cat!) but I also look after several feral cats, and that's not unusual. Many breeders have a background in science or conservation.

9. Life in the wild is no picnic. Hunting, trapping, starvation - life can be short and cruel for kittens waiting for their parents to return. Most breeders agree the best solution is to preserve large tracts of land, provide local inhabitants with livelihoods, and thereby discourage cat capture - which is the same point anti-hybrid activists make.

Some well-known wild cat hybrids

Believe it or not, Siamese cats have been used in breeding with wildcats to create hybrids.

An interesting one is the Serengeti, a new domestic breed now in the early stages of recognition. It was produced with Orientals (Siamese in shape and character but solid in colour - no points) bred with Bengals and several others. The Bengal also has wild blood, having been produced by mating with the Asian Leopard Cat. So if you love the idea of a wild looking spotted cat with big rounded ears and a toned down voice from its Siamese side, then drop by Karen Sausman's site (www.Kingsmarkfarms.com)- she created this domestic breed - for more information about the Serengeti.

Since we're on the topic of wild cat hybrids, let me introduce you to a few others - these, I'm afraid, are not linked to Siamese cats in any way but are worth a mention just because of their amazing beauty.

The Savannah: This breed came about when Servals were crossed with a domestic cat like a Bengal or Ocicat. The first generation's progeny results in fertile females but infertile males. The males cannot be used in the breeding programme until they are four or five generations removed from the Serval.

The Chausie: This is a cross between the Jungle Cat felis chaus and the Abyssinian. It is pronounced 'Chow-See' and looks like many of the images we see from ancient Egypt . The first generations can produce some awfully large cats, up to 30 lbs/13.64 kilos, according to some breeders! Like the Serengeti, they are a fairly new breed so they have scarcity value.

The Bengal: It's wild ancestor is the Asian Leopard Cat. It takes five generations for this cat to be considered domesticated (F5 for you technical experts out there), even though many of the earlier crosses are equally tame and domesticated. This cross has produced some very beautiful spotted cats that at their best look quite different from our domestic tabby cats.

The Safari: The Geoffroy's Cat and the domestic cat are used for this new breed. Again the result is a spotted cat with the look of the wild.

Just a general warning about the early generation hybrids: Some countries and US states consider these cats to be the same as wild cats, so you'll have all the problems of getting a wildlife export license to import the cat, not to mention the licences and inspections you'll need to keep the cat in your home. Some places will prohibit you from owning or housing what authorities consider to be a 'wild cat' so please check very carefully to avoid heartache for both you and your new wild cat companion. All these measures cost a lot of money and the cats are expensive to start with, so best to wait till you can easily afford all the extra bills!

There are other hybrids and experimental crosses taking place, you could visit www.exoticcatz.com - you'll find many photographs, as well as plenty of information about health, ethics, feeding and accommodation for these beautiful cats. Another site with plenty to interest the hybrid and wild cat lover (but no illustrations) can be found at Messybeast.

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