Mistaken for ordinary stray cats, three kittens found in the spring by walkers in a Geneva forest turned out to belong to a rare wild species. After their rescue and care, genetic analysis confirmed that they were European wildcats, a native feline strictly protected in Switzerland.
Alerted, the cantonal authorities entrusted the young animals to a wildlife rehabilitation center. The aim was to prevent any habituation to humans in order to preserve their natural behaviors, essential for their future reintroduction into the forest.
A discreet intervention before the return to freedom
For several months, the kittens grew up away from the public, fed a diet close to what they would have found in the wild, and observed from a distance. The caretakers were careful to maintain their instinctive wariness, a key indicator of their ability to survive without assistance.
Having become independent, the three felines were finally released in the fall into a suitable wooded area not far from where they were found. This happy ending, however, serves as a reminder of an essential principle: when faced with an animal that appears to be in distress, it is recommended to contact wildlife protection services, as any unauthorized capture of wild animals can constitute an offense.
