Today (25th February, 2022), new science was published by NatureScot showing that, if current trends continue, Scotland could lose its Capercaillie within 20-30 years. You can read the Executive Summary, here:
One of the principal causes of the decline is predation by foxes, crows and pine martens.
SGA Chairman Alex Hogg, MBE, has commented to the Media on the research.
Alex said:
“A sizeable chunk of Scotland’s last remaining Capercaillie forests, managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and RSPB Scotland, have had no predators controlled on them for years. The loser has been the Capercaillie.
"Hopefully this science is now the beginning of that damage being undone.
“Gamekeepers have been lone voices, often discredited when speaking about Capercaillie. This science is endorsement that they were correct. Now we need to undo the years of waste, and mis-spent public money, and get on and save an iconic species.”
