Italy: Wild cats return to Alps after 100 years

For the first time in 100 years, the wildcat has reappeared in the Italian Alps. Local authorities say it is not dangerous for pets in the area.

According to the South Tyrol government, people discovered a wildcat wandering in the Pejo valley and then stopped Deutschnonsberg in South Tyrol. They thought it had crossed the Swiss mountains to come here.

Earlier, the animal was cleared by the farmers and hunters from the area in the early 1920s of the last century.

The BBC cited sources from the Wildlife Protection Fund (WWF), saying there are only about 100 wild cats left in Switzerland, mainly distributed in two areas: the northwestern Alps (including Interlaken) and the mountains. Jura near Lake Geneva.

Wild cats often hunt alone, live in high forests with food mainly foxes, hares, fish . WWF spokesman Riccardo Nigro said in Italy the wildcat is "completely protected".

Forest cats are returning, but very rare (Photo: AFP)

MINH ANH