Two critically endangered wildcats born at Edinburgh Zoo

Photograph: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland/PA

Two critically endangered wildcats have been born at Edinburgh Zoo.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) zoo revealed the kittens were born in September to mother Caol Ila and fatherTalisker.

The zoo will be asking the public for help to name the young cats, a male and a female, in the coming weeks.

Wildcats, also dubbed the Highland Tiger, are one of Scotland's rarest and most threatened mammals.

Alison Maclean, carnivore team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "We are thrilled to have welcomed the birth of two wildcat kittens in September, to mum Caol Ila and dad Talisker.

"The youngsters are doing well and we will be asking for the public's help to name them in the coming weeks."

(PA)

(PA)

(PA)

RZSS is leading a new partnership project, Saving Wildcats, based at the charity's second site, Highland Wildlife Park.

The conservation breeding and release of wildcats is being carried out by the Saving Wildcats partnership led by RZSS in collaboration with NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Norden's Ark and Junta de Andalucia.

Additional reporting by PA