Beast of a wildcat captured on film

A Scottish wildcat nicknamed “The Beast” has been captured on video by researchers in the Highlands who say it is one of the largest of its kind recorded in the world.

Dr Paul O’donoghue, chief scientific officer at Wildcat Haven, said: “I have seen every referenced wildcat in existence and this is the biggest. This is the real deal, a pure Scottish wildcat. There is no doubt about that.”

The animal, one of 13 monitored at Aberdeenshire’s Clashindarroch Forest, is estimated to measure 4ft (1.2m) from nose to tail.

Kev Bell, who filmed the wildcat, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw this cat – he is enormous, a magnificent animal.

“Some people say the wildcat doesn’t exist, but we know. And wildcats like ‘The Beast’ prove it.

“This is nothing like a domestic cat. You certainly wouldn’t want it sitting in your lap.”