Capercaillie Reinforcement Feasibility Study - Phase 2

Description

The overall objective for the Capercaillie Reinforcement Feasibility Study is to investigate the feasibility of reinforcing the Scottish capercaillie population with birds from Europe and performing exchanges within the Scottish capercaillie population. This work is broken down into two phases. Phase 1 has been completed, the scope of which was as follows and the link to the final report is available on the ITT brief. 1. Develop a set of possible scenarios for reinforcing the UK capercaillie population and the potential risks and benefits of each scenario. 2. Review and narrow down the possible scenarios with a group of key stakeholders in a workshop convened by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. 3. Produce a final report with recommendations regarding the scenario/s that should be investigated in more detail ecologically, socially, practically and from a disease perspective. This deeper investigation forms Phase 2. Lot 1: The Phase 1 research team and stakeholder participants believe there are sufficient grounds for progressing this work to Phase 2. The following outputs, informed by Phase 1 findings, are required by 31 March 2026: 1. A set of potential translocation sites identified with the Capercaillie Emergency Plan Programme Board and Scientific Advisory Group from the following list prioritised in Phase 1: Deeside; Speyside (adjacent to the existing stronghold); Capercaillie Special Protected Areas (SPAs) outwith the Cairngorms National Park; and other areas of Scotland. 2. A decision-making framework for capercaillie reinforcement site selection which factors in the Scottish Conservation Translocation Code and is informed by existing data and recognised translocation planning methods, including an expert elicitation workshop, convened by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. 3. Detailed assessment and ground-truthing of ecological conditions and risks for the sites selected using the decision-making framework. 4. A comprehensive report for each site selected using the decision-making framework, evaluating the ecological suitability and associated risks of each site. In parallel, the Cairngorms National Park Authority will begin discussions with landowners and managers to explore potential interest in hosting a reinforcement release, and will engage with those responsible for potential sites identified with the Capercaillie Emergency Plan Programme Board and Scientific Advisory Group. A programme of local community consultation will also be undertaken by the Cairngorms National Park Authority to gauge support, identify potential concerns, and explore opportunities for co-designing the implementation of any future reinforcement. It is expected that the contractor will work closely with the Cairngorms National Park Authority on delivering this work, including presenting findings and helping to answer questions that arise from communities, and landowners and managers. 5. A Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to inform reinforcement planning and decision-making. The analysis will provide: a. A rationale for a ‘trigger point’ for when to move forward with reinforcement. b. Evidence to understand the necessary carrying capacity of a release site, to support final site selection decisions. c. Evidence on the number of birds that would be needed to carry out a reinforcement, and what a sustainable survival level would need to be. 6. A final report with specific reinforcement information assessed in more detail, including: a. Logistics of egg transfer (how long are they viable etc.). - The status of the current UK ex-situ population – numbers and provenance. - Status of wider European ex-situ population, especially in EAZA accredited zoos. - Feasibility of obtaining derogations on quarantine requirements for importing birds or eggs from Europe. - Expert interviews to produce a short review of current knowledge on ex-situ capercaillie rearing and reproduction, including direct engagement with existing reinforcement and reintroduction projects across Europe, to assess the range of methods and techniques being used and the evidence available on their success. - Evaluation of potential in-situ source populations in Europe, informed by consultation with managers of current European reinforcement projects and relevant experts, to identify suitable populations and understand associated management practices and genetic considerations.