Wildlife

Wild Capercaillie Lek Protection Welfare

Capercaillie are on the brink of extinction in Scotland with lek disturbance a critical welfare and conservation threat.

Key Facts

Fewer than 500 capercaillie remain in Scotland making every individual critical
Lek disturbance by walkers, cyclists, and dogs causes breeding failure through nest abandonment
Forest management maintaining mature Caledonian pinewoods is essential for population survival
Capercaillie welfare is intertwined with Caledonian pinewood ecosystem restoration

Welfare Considerations

Capercaillie disturbed at leks during breeding season abandon nesting attempts causing further population decline. At such critically low numbers, each individual's reproductive success is significant. Lek protection through seasonal access restrictions is a direct welfare and conservation intervention.

What You Can Do

Respect seasonal access restrictions around capercaillie lek sites in Scotland
Keep dogs on leads in areas with capercaillie presence
Support RSPB and Cairngorms Connect capercaillie recovery programmes