Wildlife

Capercaillie Welfare and Conservation in Scotland

Capercaillie are now functionally extinct in England and have fewer than 500 individuals remaining in Scotland, requiring emergency conservation intervention to prevent UK extinction.

Key Facts

The capercaillie UK population has declined to around 500 birds, almost all in the Cairngorms
Tick infestation exacerbated by rising deer densities kills chicks before fledging in many years
Disturbance at lek sites from walkers and mountain bikers causes breeding failure
Capercaillie went extinct in the UK in the 18th century and were reintroduced from Sweden in 1837

Welfare Considerations

Capercaillie welfare in Scotland is acutely threatened by multiple simultaneous pressures including tick-induced chick mortality, predation, disturbance and habitat quality. Emergency interventions including predator management, deer culling to reduce tick habitat and strict human exclusion from lek sites have been implemented. Without significant improvement, UK extinction is a realistic near-term outcome.

What You Can Do

Follow RSPB guidance on avoiding capercaillie lek sites in the Cairngorms between March and May
Support RSPB and Cairngorms Connect capercaillie conservation programmes
Advocate for deer management policies that reduce tick-carrying deer to welfare-safe densities for capercaillie
Share and support public awareness campaigns about the critical status of this species