SCOTLAND's conservationists are at each other's throats over the best way to save the iconic wildcat from extinction.

The war of words has seen one animal sanctuary for wildcats, one of Scotland’s most endangered animals, come under angry attack from other conservationists for allegedly damaging efforts to save the species from extinction.

Wildcat Haven, which has been attempting to create a safe area for wildcats in the western highlands, is facing fierce criticism from the government wildlife agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), as well as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the TV naturalist, Chris Packham.

READ MORE: The rare Scots wildlife at risk of extinction

Their attacks follow earlier criticism from Wildcat Haven, which described official conservation efforts as “potentially disastrous”. It submitted a ten-page critique to SNH in March calling for a wildcat action programme to end.

SNH has now responded by accusing Wildcat Haven of misunderstanding what is happening, and of making “inaccurate” statements. “Antagonistic debate in the media is damaging legitimate conservation efforts to save the Scottish wildcat,” said an SNH statement on Friday.

Wildcats are thought to be on the verge of extinction, though no-one is sure how many are actually left. They are elusive creatures, and can be mistaken for – and breed with - feral or domestic cats.

The official wildcat action plan includes capturing and breeding the animals in private enclosures at RZSS’s Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie so that they can be released into the wild. This is opposed by Wildcat Haven, which says they should be protected in the wild.

SNH’s statement stresses that the legal, ethical and scientific issues raised by Wildcat Haven “have been fully and properly addressed”. The criticisms do not take account of recent research, SNH says.

“Wildcat Haven appears to have significantly misunderstood the work currently being undertaken to deliver the Scottish wildcat conservation action plan. Conservation efforts to save Scottish wildcats are essential, and urgent.”

SNH accuses Wildcat Haven of providing “limited information” on its work and has requested further details. “We wish to focus our efforts now on our ongoing positive wildcat conservation,” the agency statement concludes.

READ MORE: The rare Scots wildlife at risk of extinction

RZSS’s chief executive, Chris West, said: “Unfortunately, it has become increasingly clear that Wildcat Haven – with its opaque and divisive approach – is hampering rather than helping efforts to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction.

“With the very survival of the species at stake, we believe that the open, collaborative approach taken by the Scottish wildcat action partnership is the only sensible way forward. Regrettably, Wildcat Haven continues to operate apart from the rest of Scottish conservation.”

Chris Packham, a presenter of the BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch programmes, argued that personalities were getting in the way of conservation. Wildcat Haven “not only damages the name of conservation, it sends national efforts backwards instead of forwards,” he said.

“Looking at population estimates for the Scottish wildcat over recent years, it is clear they are edging closer to extinction, which is an unbearable thought. We must ask ourselves what now for the future of the species? Breeding for reintroduction may prove to be one of the few remaining lifelines left for this species.”

Wildcat Haven has also run into a problem with the Woodland Trust Scotland, which says it was nominated as a key support body without its knowledge. The trust has written to Wildcat Haven asking to be removed as a nominated body.

Wildcat Haven did not respond to requests for comment, however, its scientific advisor, Dr Paul O'Donoghue, has previously said that he was “deeply saddened” by the animal welfare compromises being made by the official wildcat action plan.

READ MORE: The rare Scots wildlife at risk of extinction

“Neutering has proven to be incredibly effective in the Wildcat Haven fieldwork area for humanely managing feral cat populations and SNH is fully aware of the results from our work under its licence - hundreds of square miles of safe habitat for wildcats.”

O'Donoghue has also previously accused RZSS of allowing some feral cats to be shot which he claims is “barbaric and entirely unnecessary” - though this is rejected by RZSS. He urged SNH to place a moratorium on the Scottish wildcat action plan in its current form to deal with the concerns raised.