Cretan Wildcat, Felis silvestris cretensis

Photo of the Cretan Wildcat, Felis silvestris cretensis. The Wildcat in Crete was for people as well as for the scientists a ghost-creature. It was reported for the first time in Crete in 1905 by a member of a British scientific expedition Dr. D Bate. Her report and identification of the animal were made possible by the purchase of two skins from a bazaar in the town of Chania. In April 1996, two students of an Italian expedition, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of the University of Crete, managed to capture a living specimen, which was kept for studies in the University of Crete, Greece. After a few days, this animal was released in its habitat and it was radio-tracked for about three months.