DNA from over 1,000 capercaillie feathers collected in the Cairngorms – the last remaining stronghold for the species in the UK – will be analysed in a bid to save the rare bird from extinction.
With potentially less than 1,000 birds left, it is feared the population could be “stuck in a deadly genetic bottleneck”.
The latest cutting-edge conservation work is part of the Capercaillie Project being undertaken by the Cairngorm National Park Authority.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project launched a rally cry in 2018 to help save the iconic species.
In response, an army of volunteers, local residents, gamekeepers, mountain bikers, businesses and more are working with the project to deliver essential action for capercaillie across the Cairngorms National Park.
DNA feather project in bid to save capercaillie from 'deadly genetic bottleneck' | Press and Journal
With potentially less than 1,000 birds left, it is feared the population could be “stuck in a deadly genetic bottleneck”.
The latest cutting-edge conservation work is part of the Capercaillie Project being undertaken by the Cairngorm National Park Authority.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project launched a rally cry in 2018 to help save the iconic species.
In response, an army of volunteers, local residents, gamekeepers, mountain bikers, businesses and more are working with the project to deliver essential action for capercaillie across the Cairngorms National Park.
DNA feather project in bid to save capercaillie from 'deadly genetic bottleneck' | Press and Journal
