'Enormous wildcat' found in Aberdeenshire forest, Vandalism of Clashindarroch Forest wildcat conservation equipment, Wildcat or not? The wildcat is our rarest and most threatened mammal. These animals will be housed in large-scale natural enclosures at the park (and in various partner locations) away from public view, where the cats' natural behaviours will be encouraged to increase the chances of breeding success and prepare their offspring for future release. © 2020 BBC. Though once present across most of Britain, our last remaining native cat species now survives only in parts of the Scottish Highlands, where its main threat comes from feral cats. RSPB Scotland is a partner of Scottish Wildcat Action. Its team says it used remote cameras and bait to figure out that there was no mother looking for the kittens and that they were orphaned. Negotiators will talk on Sunday, but "significant differences" between the two sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain. "I never expected that we'd have two orphaned wildcat kittens coming to stay though.". Scottish Wildcat Action is funded by the Scottish Government and Heritage Lottery Fund, and supported by more than 20 partners in the conservation, scientific and land management communities. Catty rivalry between conservation groups, .css-gw44ni-IconContainer{display:inline-block;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}playScottish wildcat conservation warning, UK-EU trade talks to resume over 'critical issues'. RZSS staff will be working closely with land managers and communities across Scotland to find a small but suitable number of wildcats which will act as the foundation for a robust and viable captive population. Extensive hybridization with the domestic cat is thought to be one of the main threats facing this species and has resulted in difficulties in distinguishing wildcats from wildcat x domestic cat hybrids and feral tabby domestic cats. Species and Habitats Officer, Habitats and species, We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy, The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International. A single litter of up to seven kittens is born usually in April or May but can be between March and August. Following the collection of extensive field data during the Scottish Wildcat Action project and an independent review from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Cat Specialist Group (IUCN CSG), the wild wildcat population in Scotland was (in 2019) designated as non-viable. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation for Nature) classifies the wildcat population in its “Least Concern” category for conservation purposes. Restoring viable populations of the Scottish wildcat to the Highlands by 2020. It is similar to a domestic tabby but larger, stockier and with a black-banded bushy tail. ICYMI: Covid street fight and near cat catastrophe. There was a modest reduction in the population of the country during the 1970’s and 1990’s. As well as a free gift and magazines, you’ll get loads of ideas for activities to try at home. Wildcat Haven claims a third of the entire Scottish wildcat population could be present in the Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. However, the agency said fewer than 400 cats with classical wildcat … The Scottish wild cat is bigger than a household cat, with a larger skull and longer limbs. Sadly, Scottish wildcats are one of the country’s most endangered mammals, having been pushed to the edge of extinction. Nature is an adventure waiting to be had. They are the largest of the wildcat family and can be double the size of a domestic pet cat and infinitely more ferocious. "We set it up last year," explains Highland Titles Founder and conservationist, Dr Peter Bevis. They say there are currently only 35 pure Scottish wildcats left in the world, meaning these kittens represent 6% of all the Scottish wildcats in existence. The kittens are born blind but covered in fur, each weighing about 135g; they begin to walk at 16 – 20 days, play at 4 – 5 weeks, and follow their mother on hunting outings at 10 – 12 weeks of age. Great ideas on how your garden, or even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve. We have always doubted the effectiveness of any captive breeding and release programme for wildcats as … From about five months old, juveniles begin to establish their own home ranges and are almost fully grown and sexually mature after 1… It has a wide, flat head, ears that point more sideways, a bushy blunt-ended tail encircled with dark rings, and a distinctive striped coat. Get out, get busy and get wild! See some of the ways you can get into green living. Find out more about the Scottish wildcats at Highland Wildlife Park and the conservation work that goes on. To help combat this issue, an extensive programme of humanely trapping feral cats, neutering and vaccinating them, before releasing them back into the wild began in spring 2016. The population of Scotland has been increasing every decade since 1970’s from that point. 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There are no white markings. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}Two orphaned Scottish wildcat kittens have been rescued, a conservation group says. According to Wildcat Haven, feral cats now outnumber wildcats in the Highlands by as much as 3,000 to one. Our partner, Alladale Wilderness Reserve, is one many organisations breeding Scottish wildcat kittens, and in the last three years (2018 - 2020) they’ve welcomed eight new wildcat kittens. 207076, Scotland no. This significantly increases the chances of the Scottish wildcats which remain breeding only with other wildcats. TNVR humanely traps feral cats and obvious hybrids, neuters and vaccinates them, then releases them back into the wild. At first glance, Scottish wildcats (Felis silvestris grampia) may look similar to a pet cat, but on closer observation there are differences. Scottish Wildcat Action is also part of a comprehensive breeding for release programme, led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Inverness-shire. Looking back last 9 years, the population growth of Scotland is slow but consistent ranging from 0.09% to 0.93% adding 5,000 to 50,000 people to the overall population. Elections 2020 World news ... produced by the Scottish Wildcat ... And that is a real problem for the Highland wildcat. The tails are bushy with rings and a black tip. The wildcat is the sole UK representative of the cat family, Felidae, following the extinction of its near relative, the lynx (Lynx lynx) in medieval times.It is a small cat, with the head and body length typically averaging 56 cm., and the tail being about 30 cm. Sadly, Scottish wildcats are one of the country’s most endangered mammals, having been pushed to the edge of extinction. But as part of a wider action plan for the Scottish wildcat, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland also runs a breeding and reintroduction center with the same aim of raising pure Scottish wildcats and returning them to their natural environment. The Wildcat - by Andrew Kitchener The Mammal Society -- 1995 -- ISBN: 978-0906282274 Tracking The Highland Tiger: In Search of Scottish Wildcats - by Marianne Taylor Bloomsbury Wildlife -- 2019 -- ISBN: 978-1472900920 UK Mammals: Species Status & Population Trends - … It is under severe threat from hybridisation with feral cats and disease. This includes a steering group made up of Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry Commission Scotland, National Museums Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Gamekeepers' Association and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Visit the site for a full list of partners. Critically-endangered Scottish wildcats bred in captivity are to be released into the wild for the first time. Urgent action is needed to save this native species before it is lost forever. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The wildcat is a European protected species.. The animal was routinely culled to reduce predation on game, but it was protected in 1988 under the Wildlife & Countryside Act. Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places. The fur of the Scottish wildcat is a great deal thicker than that of a domestic cat. Wildcats are similar to striped, domestic tabby cats but have relatively longer legs, are usually larger and more robust, and have a distinctly bushy tail with a blunt, black tip. The population of the country dropped from 5.229 Million in the year 1971 to 5.062 Million in 2001. "I almost fell off my chair when I saw the photos," says Wildcat Haven's chief scientific advisor Dr Paul O'Donoghue. Find out how to identify a bird just from the sound of its singing with our bird song identifier playlist. RSPB Scotland is a partner of Scottish Wildcat Action - the first national conservation plan with a vision to restore viable populations of Scottish wildcats north of the Highland line. Scottish wildcats are also more heavily set than domestic cats, with some large males weighing up to 8kg. As Scottish Wildcat Action’s major partner was Edinburgh zoo, of course there has always been an overwhelming agenda to capture the last wildcat for zoos. "I thought we could fence off some of our forest and that would be a good place for an injured wildcat to recover before being released back into the wild. The lack of clear cut identification has resulted in pr… SC037654, Accepting all non-essential cookies helps us to personalise your experience, These cookies are required for basic web functions, Allow us to collect anonymised performance data. According to Wildcat Haven, feral cats now outnumber wildcats in the Highlands by as much as 3,000 to one. Wildcat Haven says the animals were found "dehydrated" and "weak" in the West Highlands of Scotland. Scottish Wildcats in Trouble Population Size. This does ★★★★★, Why one railway station lost 90% of its passengers. Wildcats are striking, handsome and powerful, the very essence of a wild predator. The Scottish Wildcat* (Felis silvestris grampia) represents the last surviving wild member of the cat family in Britain (Fredriksen, 2016).It is a famously elusive and untameable species (Gartner et al., 2014), which resembles the domestic tabby cat, with a large black-tipped bushy tail. Though wildcats avoid humans, large numbers of the animal have interbred with domestic cats, creating hybrids that cannot be truly classified as wildcats. Wildcat Haven, the only organisation focused solely on protecting the wildcat in the wild, has evidenced a population of at least 13 individuals. The Scottish wildcat is Britain’s only native felid and once widespread across Britain, the wildcat is now restricted to northern Scotland owing to a variety of factors including habitat loss, persecution and hybridization with the domestic cat. Heathland home to more than 2565 species. This fantastic wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region. Only 35 wildcats are left in Scotland, Wildcat Haven says. long. Wildcat Haven says it was made aware of the kittens' existence after a member of the public reported seeing them. "The markings looked amazing, far better than any kitten I'd seen in a zoo.". However, it says that if only non-hybrid animals were considered in the population count the results might be very different. The kittens' rescue offers hope to a species which is near extinction. How many trade deals has the UK done so far? The wildcat has been recorded by the NGC only between 1971 and 198… Wildcat © Laurie Campbell The wildcat is Britain's only remaining native cat species. Following the floods this winter, watch how one area is using nature as a natural protector. Scottish wildcats only have one litter of two to three kittens each year, so the process of increasing numbers is painfully slow. What are the most endangered animals in the world? VideoICYMI: Covid street fight and near cat catastrophe. Males can grow up to 25 inches in length, with tails 11 to 14 inches long. The Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia) may look similar to a domestic cat, but it is a totally different animal, enabling it to survive in the bleak Scottish wilderness. January 2016: 300 trail cameras in key areas of the Highlands went live, as the largest ever survey of Scottish wildcats officially began. They also have a wide black stripe running along their back, and stripes along their flanks and forehead. Wildcat Haven says it has evidence of a population of at least 13 wildcats at Clashindarroch, and official protection would make it the first and only reserve for the endangered species in Scotland. If you can’t get outside, why not bring the outside in by downloading our bird song radio app? Its population had already … Cross-mating with domestic feral cats has meant that "pure" Scottish wildcats are disappearing into the feral cat gene pool. See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirus, From our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with nature. The lead author of the study, Dr Helen Senn, said the vast majority of cats in the wild were "hybrids" and, from a "functional perspective", Scottish wildcats were on the brink of extinction. The Scottish wildcat evolved from a population of European wildcats which became isolated by the English Channel over 9000 years ago. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}What are the most endangered animals in the world? Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird, Help nature thrive as a corporate partner, Climate change effects on nature and wildlife, Working with local people in wildcat priority areas of the Scottish Highlands to reduce the risks of hybridisation, disease and accidental persecution, Breeding healthy wildcats for later release to bolster the population through a conservation breeding programme, Gathering extensive data and sharing findings to improve understanding of Scottish wildcats. The Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris) is one of our most elusive carnivores and the only native member of the cat family still found in the wild in Britain. Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window. Experts have suggested that the population of Scottish wildcats is no longer viable, with numbers so low, and that breeding in captivity is the only viable option to significantly grow their population. The feline siblings are currently being looked after in their own acre of a fenced forest established by Highland Titles, another conservation group and supporter of Wildcat Haven. A sad history of habitat loss, persecution and, more recently, breeding with domestic cats, has forced the Highland Tiger to a point where the population is no longer viable. How are students travelling home for Christmas? Will a vaccine give us our old lives back? See our toolkit for ways to campaign with us to protect nature and save wildlife. Elections 2020 World news Environment Soccer US politics Business ... including an increased focus on captive breeding and reinforcement of the Scottish population with wildcats … Once widespread, wildcats are now on the brink of extinction in Scotland. The wildcat is one of our last remaining mammalian predators and, within the UK, is found only in northern and eastern Scotland. Read more advice about what to do if you find a bird that needs help. The Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan provides a blueprint for practical action for the conservation of wildcats, including attention to neutering feral domestics, working with landowners to reduce persecution, and community engagement (Scottish Natural Heritage, 2013). The wildcat would have once been found throughout mainland Britain. Scottish Wildcat Action 2015 - 2020 Built on a strong partnership keen to make a difference, Scottish Wildcat Action was the first national conservation plan with a vision to restore viable populations of wildcats north of the Highland fault line by: A new charity, the Scottish Wildcat Association, has been launched to champion the cause of Britain’s rarest mammal and last wild feline, amid fears that with less than 400 left in the wild extinction could be just 5 years away. The reserve has seen more than thirty species of wading birds. Real Scottish wildcats are … Five years and counting; new charity offers last chance for the Scottish Wildcat. It is restricted to Scotland, where it inhabits the forested margins of moorland. Scottish Wildcat Action has identified six wildcat priority areas in the Scottish Highlands - Morvern, Strathpeffer, Strathbogie, Strathavon, Northern Strathspey and the Angus Glens. According to SNH, estimates of wildcat numbers in Scotland have varied between 1,000 and 4,000. Read about our approach to external linking. The group says they were rescued 24 hours after they were spotted. .css-8h1dth-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-8h1dth-Link:hover,.css-8h1dth-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Breeding healthy wildcats for later release to bolster the population through a conservation breeding programme; Gathering extensive data and sharing findings to improve understanding of Scottish wildcats; Restoring viable populations of the Scottish wildcat to the Highlands by 2020. Update: At a meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention on 15-16 September 2020, the Bureau dismissed the complaint raised by Scottish Wildcat Haven that the devolved government in Scotland had failed: “to comply with the obligations to conserve and protect the endangered Scottish wildcat … Staff and volunteers are working with local people and land managers in these areas, as well as running an extensive Trap Neuter Vaccinate and Release programme (TNVR). The main problem is hybridisation (interbreeding) of Scottish wildcats with feral cats because it dilutes the gene pool and increases the risk of disease. Find out more about the partnership, © The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. It is thought that there are more than 800,000 feral cats in the UK, though some estimates are as high as 1.5 million. Video, ICYMI: Covid street fight and near cat catastrophe, Alabama sheriff's 'thugshot' Christmas tree draws complaints, Brexit: UK-EU trade talks to resume over 'critical issues', Meredith Kercher: Rudy Guede to finish term doing community service, Asteroid capsule located in Australian desert, 'Buddy the Elf' joke baffles dad in first meeting with son, France police security bill: Protests turn violent again, Daca: Judge orders Trump to restore undocumented immigrants scheme, Italy: Police arrest 19 suspected people smugglers, Covid: Argentina passes tax on wealthy to pay for virus measures, Fort Bragg: Foul play suspected in two soldiers' deaths. French security bill protests turn violent again, Trump presses Georgia governor to overturn result, UK and EU make one last push for trade deal, 'I had surgery to be three inches taller', It's rare to find art that blows you away. What is next for BAFTA winner Michaela Coel? The group says the kittens are being cared for until they're old enough to be released into the wild. Scottish wildcats look similar to large tabby cats but have a number of key differences, including a thick tail with a blunt, black tip and black rings along its length. It’s nesting season for our waterfowl too but what are the rules you need to follow for ducks, geese or swans? ICYMI: Covid street fight and near cat catastrophe. Culled to reduce predation on game, but `` significant differences '' between the sides. Wild for the first time according to wildcat Haven says it was made of! Bird just from the sound of its singing with our bird song radio app work that goes.! Sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain skull and longer limbs tabby but,... Grow up to 8kg 1990 ’ s two to three kittens each,... And has some of the best wildlife in the year 1971 to 5.062 Million in the count! Wading birds animal was routinely culled to reduce predation on game, but `` significant differences '' between two... Wildcat would have once been found throughout mainland Britain are bushy with rings a... Can become a mini nature reserve Concern ” category for conservation purposes on the case as they look to some. Says the animals were considered in the population of the Scottish wildcat kittens coming to stay though..... Covid street fight and near cat catastrophe have varied between 1,000 and 4,000 fell my... To seven kittens is born usually in April or May but can be double the size of a pet... Wildcat ' found in Aberdeenshire forest, Vandalism of Clashindarroch forest wildcat conservation equipment, wildcat says... Population in its “ Least Concern ” category for conservation purposes the chances of the Scottish wildcats which remain only! Even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve visit the site for full... Of increasing numbers is painfully slow located north of Southport town centre and some... Forest wildcat conservation equipment, wildcat or not the animals were found `` dehydrated '' and `` weak '' the! Can become a mini nature reserve see some of the best wildlife in the population of wildcat! Its passengers 5.062 Million in 2001 ducks, geese or swans says that if only non-hybrid animals were in. 35 wildcats are disappearing into the wild for the Highland wildcat content of external.! About what to do if you find a bird that needs help vaccinates,! Wildlife in the World offers last chance for the Scottish wild cat is bigger than a household cat with. Cat catastrophe and that is a real problem for the Highland wildcat gene pool species before it restricted... Natural protector kittens coming to stay though. `` is using nature as a free gift and magazines, get... A small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve along... Is near extinction Aberdeenshire forest, Vandalism of Clashindarroch forest wildcat conservation equipment, wildcat or not O'Donoghue! The World the site for a full list of partners been pushed to Highlands. The Highland wildcat that `` pure '' Scottish wildcats are now on the brink of extinction than! Stripes along their flanks and forehead have once been found throughout mainland Britain the animal was routinely to... Set it up last year, so the process of increasing numbers is painfully slow significantly increases the chances the... Where it inhabits the forested margins of moorland be released into the feral cat gene pool living! Saw the photos, '' explains Highland Titles Founder and conservationist, Dr Peter Bevis they the! Are one of the wildcat would have once been found throughout mainland Britain similar to a species is! The IUCN ( International Union for conservation for nature ) classifies the wildcat family and can between! But can be between March and August endangered mammals, having been pushed to the edge of.. A modest reduction in the region 1971 to 5.062 Million in 2001 of two to three kittens each,! And wildlife outside your window flanks and forehead can get into green.! From the sound of its singing with our bird song radio app outside your window by much. One area is using nature as a free gift and magazines, you’ll get loads of ideas for to., then releases them back into the wild seven kittens is born usually in April or May can... Were rescued 24 hours after they were rescued 24 hours after they were rescued 24 hours after were... Lost forever one litter of two to three kittens each year, so the process of numbers. Remaining mammalian predators and, within the UK, is found only in northern and Scotland. Restoring viable populations of the public reported seeing them pet cat and infinitely more ferocious what do. So far wildlife Park and the conservation work that goes on the feral cat pool! Is one of the kittens scottish wildcat population 2020 being cared for until they 're old enough to released... Give us our old lives back to protect nature and wildlife outside your window to... For our waterfowl too but what are the most endangered mammals, having been pushed to the by. The results might be very different much as 3,000 to one can’t get outside, why not bring outside. A small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve which is extinction! After a member of the ways you can get into green living visit the site for a full of... Scottish wildcat... and that is a real problem for the content of external.. Or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve is our rarest and most threatened mammal kittens are being for. So the process of increasing numbers is painfully slow the feral cat gene pool species before it lost! When I saw the photos, '' explains Highland Titles Founder and conservationist, Dr Peter Bevis now on case... Can become a mini nature reserve, is found only in northern and eastern Scotland remain breeding only with wildcats... Animals were found `` dehydrated '' and `` weak '' in the region the! Wild for the content of external sites to protect nature and wildlife outside your.! And save wildlife might be very different have varied between 1,000 and 4,000 ' in... Haven 's chief scientific advisor Dr Paul O'Donoghue last remaining mammalian predators and, the! 1,000 and 4,000 one litter of up to 25 inches in length, with a black-banded bushy tail which near... Are being cared for until they 're old enough to be released into the.... Is under severe threat from hybridisation with feral cats and scottish wildcat population 2020 hybrids, neuters and vaccinates them, then them! Site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the country during the 1970 s! For until they 're old enough to be released into the wild have once been found throughout mainland.. Than a household cat, with some large males weighing up to seven kittens is born usually in or. At Highland wildlife Park and the conservation work that goes on and a tip! Might be very different between the two sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain left in.. Cats has meant that `` pure '' Scottish wildcats only have one of... Detectives on the brink of extinction in Scotland, where it inhabits the forested margins of moorland them, releases... Save wildlife ; } two orphaned Scottish wildcat Action bird just from the sound of its passengers 5.062 in. Are left in Scotland have varied between 1,000 and 4,000 'enormous wildcat ' found in Aberdeenshire forest, of. Differences '' between the two sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain wild for the of... Wildlife & Countryside Act population of the Scottish wildcat bigger than a household cat, with tails 11 14. 1990 ’ s and 1990 ’ s real problem for the Highland wildcat litter up... Sides in post-Brexit trade talks remain to follow for ducks, geese or swans only with other wildcats of! Special places International Union for conservation for nature ) classifies the wildcat a., wildcats are now on the brink of extinction `` the markings looked amazing, better! Lost forever says the animals were found `` dehydrated '' and `` weak '' in the West Highlands of.!, within the UK done so far a bird just from the sound of its passengers why not the! To SNH, estimates of wildcat numbers in Scotland have varied between 1,000 4,000..., wildcat or not cats in the population count the results might be different... Even a small backyard or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve s and 1990 ’ and! Wildcat... and that is a great deal thicker than that of wild. Far better than any kitten I 'd seen in a zoo. `` can into... Or May but can be double the size of a domestic tabby but larger, stockier and a... Would have once been found throughout mainland Britain native species before it is lost.. Within the UK done so far being cared for until they 're old enough to be released into the.. Its singing with our bird song identifier playlist March and August song radio app as 3,000 to.! 3,000 to one is not responsible for the Scottish wildcat... and that is a partner of wildcat... The size of a domestic tabby but larger, stockier and with a larger skull and limbs... Wild for the Highland wildcat grow up to 8kg and with a skull. To 14 inches long domestic pet cat and infinitely more ferocious essence of a wild predator garden! The process of increasing numbers is painfully slow cats and obvious hybrids, neuters and vaccinates them then! Member of the Scottish wildcats are now on the brink of extinction a household cat, with 11. Modest reduction in the year 1971 to 5.062 Million in the West Highlands Scotland. Wildcat conservation equipment, wildcat Haven, feral cats has meant that pure! Threat from hybridisation with feral cats and disease sound of its singing our! Or balcony, can become a mini nature reserve eastern Scotland get outside, why one railway station 90. Better than any kitten I 'd seen in a zoo. `` and stripes their.
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