The European Commission has asked Britain to justify using high wire forest fences which can kill the grouse-like capercaillie, known as the tetrao urogallus, and questioned whether conservation areas set aside for the bird were adequate. Numbers of the bird in Scotland have plummeted to 1,000, one 20th of the population of the mid-1970s.
Scientists say poor weather has reduced the bird's supply of plant food.
Robert Moss, a former senior scientist at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in Banchory, Scotland, said the six special protection areas, covering a few thousand hectares, must be expanded tenfold. But the SNH told the New Scientist it was committed to protecting the capercaillie, saying that its work was based on sound scientific principles. Recipients should seek permission to reprint the article from the source listed above. Reading on line, downloading or other use of this information signifies acceptance of these conditions, and the Full Disclaimer.