Vosges mountains Capercaillie Reintroduction: A Long-Term Conservation Effort
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A bold initiative to restore the capercaillie population in France’s Vosges Mountains is underway.Nine birds where initially brought from Norway in a bid to revive this endangered species, but the project, overseen by Fabien Diehl, Grand project manager Grouse at the Ballons des Vosges Natural Park, faces notable hurdles.”Nine birds is too few to draw conclusions, and we must allow five years to see if it works,” Diehl explains.
Early setbacks have been encountered. By late November, six birds had perished. While one appeared to have died from a collision, four were likely victims of predation. “We only found the tag and a pile of feathers, so we have no certainty about the causes of death, but predation is most likely. Predation has always existed,” Diehl notes.
The stakes are high.”The bet of this experiment is that a few birds manage to reproduce,” Diehl emphasizes. “Or else, it’s extinction. We wont to save the species. There are three to five birds left in the Vosges that we saw in camera trap images.We don’t know exactly how many are left, but due to inbreeding, we haven’t observed any nesting since 2018.”
Despite the challenges, there’s been some positive news. “What is amazing is that from the start of the project, we found ourselves facing a divisive and subjective debate, the ‘for’ and the ‘against’ who thought it was ruined,” Diehl observes. critics argued the habitat was unsuitable due to factors like land size, food availability, and climate change.However, Diehl counters, “the birds adapted perfectly after their release. A hen even nested a few weeks later. It didn’t work out. The eggs disappeared, but she felt well enough to make a nest.”
Habitat Suitability and Future Plans
Diehl highlights the importance of habitat assessment. “A grouse needs 50 to 100 hectares. Capercaillie want a patchwork of habitats depending on the times of their life and the seasons. We often idealize the criteria of the host environment,” he explains. “The Norwegians told us that they sometimes found Capercaillie in their home in unexpected places that seemed unfavorable to them. They came to see the Grand Ventron and found the habitat very good.”
Further investigation into the bird deaths is ongoing. “The five birds died in autumn, four were in the nature reserve.They didn’t try to look elsewhere. They have not suffered from tourist traffic either. The only bird that was whole and that we were able to autopsy had not suffered a collision. We found no virus, no trace of avian flu. He had gained 800 grams, had a crop full of blueberry leaves, fir needles, and fern leaves,” Diehl reports.
Addressing the issue of predation is crucial. “For us, it is not an adaptation problem that causes their death, but rather predation. Four suffered nighttime predation. The great owls could also hunt the capercaillie, but we found the tags on site. The eagle owls would have taken their prey, so we tend to lean towards martens. To resist this rate of predation, more birds would be needed. We will think about perhaps protecting the nests,” Diehl says.
Advanced technology will play a role in future planning.”An inventory of habitat quality was established in 2010 by recognized national experts, which validated 20,000 hectares,” Diehl states. A LIDAR study (laser remote sensing) is planned for 2025 to analyze forest density, cover, and clearings. “We can thus obtain reliable modeling of the habitat.”
The project’s long-term nature is emphasized. “Such an operation takes 15 years. For the moment, we do not have enough population to draw conclusions. The survival rate will improve every year. This is a project to follow over the long term. To date, we are evaluating, we are readjusting but we are not drawing hasty conclusions,” Diehl concludes.
Vosges Forest Undertakes Risky, Yet Vital, Capercaillie Conservation Project
The majestic capercaillie, a large woodland grouse, is fighting for survival in the Vosges mountains of France.A multi-year, multi-million dollar project is underway to bolster the dwindling population, a race against time to prevent the species’ extinction in this region.
The initiative involves a complex translocation program, carefully moving birds to suitable habitats within the protected Vosges forest. Initial results are promising. “For the moment what we can say is that the birds tolerated the translocation well, there was 100% survival at 4 months. They adapted well,” reports a lead researcher involved in the project.
This isn’t a short-term endeavor. “In Germany, they have been working on this reinforcement for 12 years. They release them every year and they reach 150 individuals. If we stop introducing new birds, we have little chance of reaching the 500 birds that represent a viable population. We continue experimentation to avoid extinction, to push back the deadline and work on the environments, on a forest-game balance, on tranquility and that serves all living species!” explains another key figure in the conservation effort. The project’s scale underscores the urgency of the situation.
The challenges are significant. “We started the efforts too late, the capercaillie species was already below its threshold of viability,” acknowledges a project leader. Despite this setback, 55,000 hectares are designated under the Grouse directive, implementing sustainable forestry practices to create optimal capercaillie habitats. The National forestry Office is actively improving these areas at a rate of 75 hectares per year.
The financial commitment is ample. “We’re working on it (£500K/year) but it’s a long process. Behind the grouse, there are beautiful forests with moss and mushrooms which benefit everyone and meet the challenges of biodiversity and ecological awareness. It is a risky project, as we know, ambitious but virtuous, which is supported by a dynamic of preservation of the Vosges forest and its balance,” concludes Fabien Diehl, a key project participant. The project’s long-term success hinges on continued funding and collaborative efforts.
The capercaillie’s fate in the Vosges Mountains serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of proactive conservation measures. The success or failure of this ambitious project could have significant implications for biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide.
Saving the Capercaillie: A Conversation with Dr. Antoine Dubois
introduction: World-Today News spoke with Dr. Antoine Dubois, a leading expert on avian conservation and habitat restoration, about the enterprising reintroduction program for the capercaillie in France’s Vosges Mountains. the project, facing significant challenges, offers valuable insights into the complexities of biodiversity conservation efforts.
Early Setbacks and Lingering Hope
World-Today News: Dr. Dubois, the initial release of capercaillie in the Vosges has been met with some setbacks. Could you shed light on the challenges faced by the project?
Dr. Dubois: it’s true that the first year has been difficult, with six of the nine introduced birds succumbing to various factors. Predation appears to be a significant threat, as is always a concern with reintroductions. However, the loss of these birds doesn’t necessarily signal defeat. We have to remember that this is a long-term project,and the goal is to establish a self-sufficient population. The surviving birds are adapting well to the habitat, and we’ve even witnessed a hen attempting to nest, which is a very positive sign.
Habitat Suitability and Technology-driven Monitoring
World-Today News: Some critics argue that the Vosges Mountains may not be a suitable habitat for the species. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Dubois: Capercaillie require specific forest structures with a variety of food sources and nesting sites. While the Vosges Mountains might not mirror their ideal habitat in Scandinavia, our research indicates that suitable patches do exist.
World-Today News: the project employs advanced technologies like LIDAR. Can you explain how these tools are helping your team?
Dr. Dubois: Absolutely.LIDAR helps us create detailed 3D maps of the forest canopy and understory, allowing us to analyze habitat quality, identify potential nesting areas, and pinpoint areas where restoration efforts might be needed. This data-driven approach is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of the project.
the Future of the Vosges Capercaillie
world-Today News: What are the next steps for the project, and what are the chances of bringing the capercaillie back to the Vosges in a meaningful way?
dr. Dubois: Our immediate focus is on addressing the predation issue. We are exploring strategies to protect nests and minimize losses to predators. In the long term,we need to continue monitoring the population,gathering data on breeding success,and adapting our conservation strategies as needed. While the road ahead is challenging, we are optimistic that with ongoing research, community engagement, and dedicated conservation efforts, the capercaillie can once again thrive in the Vosges Mountains.
