A Scots zoo is delighted after it confirmed the birth of three rare Scottish Wildcat Kittens.
The Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, near Livingston, revealed the news on Facebook, sharing an adorable video of the adventurous trio.
With estimates of only 35 remaining in the wild, Scottish wildcats are 50 times rarer than the giant panda, and the tiny population is under threat from the destruction of their natural habitat and local unneutered domestic cats who are breeding with them.
But it is hoped that international breeding program and other projects like it will be able to save the species from extinction and births of litters like this one are vital.
Posting on their Facebook page, the Zoo staff wrote: "We have some very exciting news to share…
"We are incredibly proud to announce the birth of a further three rare Scottish Wildcat Kittens here at FSZ!!
"Each kitten born as part of the international breeding program plays an important role in conserving this fragile population and bringing it back from the brink of extinction."
The keepers confirmed that the tiny trio are now beginning to explore their enclosure and are delighted to be able to show them off visitors heading to the park.
Yet to be named, delighted fans described the new arrivals as "adorable" with many looking forward to their next visit to the popular zoo.
Their birth follows the news that the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland introduced the first wildcat to the Saving Wildcats conservation breeding for release centre at the Highland Wildlife Park earlier this year.
A young female, named Nell, was selected from Alladale Wilderness Reserve earlier this month to become the first cat placed there and it's now hoped any kittens Nell rears will be among the first cats released into the Scottish Highlands next year.
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