European Wildcat at Duisburg 15/05/09

Felis silvestris silvestris. You might think this cat looks angry, and you may well be right. He was sat by the mesh looking friendly, got this face on when I pointed the camera at him and then lashed out with his paw - thankfully seemed to have claws retracted as he caught my shutter finger a glancing blow as I withdrew and took a fuzzy picture of some mesh. I kept it to add to similar picture taken by a Sandhill Crane at Timmendorfer.

For the record, here's the wildcat's photo...

When I visited at the end of November I also saw him close to the fence, this time with a chicken in his mouth.He didn't seem to be the least afraid of me which is unusual for wildcats, usually you don't see them at all.
I didn't get my lens or fingers anywhere near him, although it was tempting to try to stroke him as he looked so friendly, but owning cats myself I know what their claws do!