Emergency Plan Unveiled to Save Endangered Capercaillie in Scotland

The five-year initiative aims to prevent the extinction of the UK's capercaillie population, now critically low at 532 birds.

Cairngorms National Park Authority and NatureScot have launched a comprehensive five-year emergency plan to save the capercaillie.
The plan includes increasing woodland habitats and considering the introduction of birds from continental Europe to boost numbers.
Predator management strategies, including diversionary feeding trials, aim to reduce the impact of pine martens and badgers on capercaillie nests.
Human disturbances, such as those from mountain biking and dog-walking, have been addressed through community cooperation and trail management.
The Scottish government requested the plan, which involves over 100 stakeholders and aims to create at least 35,000 hectares of new woodland by 2045.