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The Cantabrian capercaillie is currently distributed in an area of less than 2,000km2 in the Cantabrian mountain range and its population has registered a steady decline in recent decades. It is estimated that in the last 15 years the number of males has decreased by 25% and the latest data estimate an adult population of about 500 individuals.

LIFE+ 09 NAT / project ES / 513 “Programme of urgent actions for the conservation of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) and its habitat in the Cantabrian Mountains” was born as a result of the actions that have been developed so far to preserve the Cantabrian capercaillie and its habitat, following the guidelines of the Strategy for the conservation of the Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) in Spain, approved in 2004 and subsequent regional conservation plans and measures.

The main objectives of the actions carried out have been to improve restoration and habitat, adjust forest structures and their borders to make them optimal for the use of subspecies, promoting the regeneration of blueberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) as key species for the Cantabrian capercaillie. reforestation communication corridors to ensure connectivity between population centres, and the correction of electrical infrastructures and removal or signposting of fences dangerous to the subspecies.

On the other hand, the first breeding centre and genetic reserve of the Cantabrian capercaillie located in the municipality of Sobrescobio (Redes Natural Park, Asturias), was built with the aim of establishing a captive breeding programme and creating a genetic reserve of the subspecies, following the guidelines of the Cantabrian capercaillie Working Group of the Fauna and Flora Committee.

In parallel, several scientific and technical studies have been carried out on the status of the species’ population, its biology and the possible factors that determine its alterations and habitat decline.

At the level of scientific exchange, awareness and dissemination, in recent years technical conferences and seminars have been held, with special attention to the management of forest habitat and the definition of the ex situ conservation program of subspecies. In addition, the value of the species, its threats and the importance of its conservation have been transmitted to society.

The main objective of the project is to stop the fall of this subspecies endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and promote its recovery. Specifically, the programme aims to guarantee a favourable conservation status of the Cantabrian capercaillie and its habitat through actions to restore and improve its environment. It also seeks to promote reproductive success and adult survival, as well as to foster social awareness and citizen participation and increase knowledge about the subspecies and its habitat.

Within the framework of the project, the following objectives are detailed:

• Promote actions to restore and improve the habitat of the Cantabrian capercaillie in the 16 Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs).
• Reduce the impact of species predation and competition with other herbivores.
• Define and implement a captive breeding program and create a genetic pool of the subspecies.
• Strengthen existing populations with Cantabrian capercaillie bred in captivity.
• Disseminate the results of the project and establish environmental education and awareness programmes, which facilitates knowledge of the Cantabrian capercaillie and its habitat.

The LIFE+ Cantabrian Capercaillie project has developed a battery of conservation, social participation and awareness-raising actions aimed at halting the decline of this subspecies endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and promoting its recovery. The actions are carried out between 2010 and 2016 in the Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) and for their execution, the project has the advice of scientists and technicians who are experts in the different fields.

Within the framework of the project, the following results are intended to be achieved:

• To halt the continuous decline of the Cantabrian capercaillie population.
• To make the Cantabrian capercaillie a key species in the management of the Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs) of the Cantabrian Mountains.
• Improve knowledge about the subspecies and its habitat.
• To improve the quality of the habitat in the SPAs of the Cantabrian Mountains.
• Define measures to reduce pressure from predators and competitors on the subspecies in order to improve reproductive success.
• To put into operation the Breeding Centre and Genetic Reserve of the Cantabrian Capercaillie of the Principality of Asturias.
• Create a captive stock of the subspecies for reintroduction or reinforcement of populations.
• Release specimens from the Cantabrian Capercaillie Breeding Centre and Genetic Reserve to reinforce populations.
• Facilitate the development of a land stewardship programme as a participatory tool that reconciles land management with habitat conservation and improvement.
• Obtain planning instruments and documents of good sectoral practices for habitat management.
• Increase social awareness and public participation about the situation of the subspecies and its problems.