Five million dollars spent to save 30 endangered birds; only one survived

A Spanish conservation effort aimed at reviving the endangered Cantabrian capercaillie has resulted in a devastatingly low survival rate. The project, which involved releasing 30 captive-bred birds into the wild in León province, cost over $5 million but saw 29 of the birds perish within six months.

The initiative, managed by the Valsemana Breeding Center, sought to bolster the dwindling wild populations of this iconic bird in the Cantabrian Mountains. The released capercaillies were placed in the Alto Sil Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), a crucial habitat for the species. Before their release, the birds underwent a preparation period in specially adapted enclosures to help them adjust to natural conditions.

Monitoring through GPS and VHF transmitters revealed the harsh reality faced by the birds. Foxes were identified as the primary predators, responsible for 12 confirmed attacks. Other predators, including birds of prey and martens, accounted for additional deaths. This high mortality rate underscores the immense difficulties conservationists face in protecting a species on the brink of extinction, particularly from natural predation in its habitat.