Translocation of capercaillie and black grouse from Sweden to central Europe : An evaluation of ongoing translocation projects

• During the last couple of decades there has been an increasing effort to reinforce and increase the populations of black grouse and capercaillie in several areas in Poland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands using translocated Swedish birds. Beginning in 2010, a total of 616 black grouse and 519 capercaillie have been captured in different parts of Sweden and translocated to populations in central Europe. The purpose of this report is to summarize the translocation projects in Sweden, investigate the potential effects on the source populations and lastly to evaluate how the progress of ongoing projects could be evaluated. To summarise, we have found that the current translocation projects of capercaillie and black grouse from Sweden are, in most respects, in accordance with the IUCN guidelines of translocation in conservation. However, we have identified three areas which we propose should be improved upon to better assess the success of a translocation project: better monitoring of the source population, analyse population viability of the recipient population from the start and lastly to improve the communica­tion between the translocation projects and the interested parties at the capture locations in Sweden. We believe that improving upon these three areas will provide a solid foundation for assessing the success of the ongoing translocation projects from the perspectives of both the source and recipient populations of capercaillie and black grouse, as well as the local human interests.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

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