European Rewilding Network
ERN2111

Rewilding Capercaillie

Breeding and scientific research of capercaillie

This initiative especially deals with exploring the causes of disappearance, wedding singing and fertilization of capercaillie
Ivica Križ
The capercaillie is a strictly protected species of mountain bird from the Ice Age. It has been protected in the Republic of Croatia since 2005.
Ivica Križ
Current data indicates that the population of capercaillie in Croatia today is so low that without the introduction of new individuals it will not be able to regenerate itself.
Ivica Križ
The artificial breeding of capercaillie is extremely complex and still full of unknowns, especially when it comes to the final stage or release.
Ivica Križ
A large aviary measuring 80m x 80m x 4-8m in height was built at Farjev Laz, near Tršće
Ivica Križ
In addition to breeding and tracking capercaillie, aviaries aim to show this mysterious and timid species to bird lovers.
Ivica Križ

The capercaillie is a species of mountain bird from the Ice Age, that has been protected in the Republic of Croatia since 2005. Rewilding capercaillie is primarily concerned with the revitalization of capercaillie with the goal of reintroducing these protected mountain birds in Gorski Kotar.

This initiative cooperates with academic and governmental institutions, such as the University of Zagreb and the croatian Ministry of Environment and Energy. Rewilding capercaillie especially deals with exploring the causes of disappearance, mating calls, and breeding of capercaillie, and they have already made significant discoveries on capercaillie behavior and reproduction.

This initiative prepares suitable habitats for the resettlement and monitoring of capercaillie and are developing necessary steps for capercaillie reintroduction. In 2019 the Central European Breeding Centre Tetrijeb was officially opened, which includes a large pre-release aviary measuring 80m x 80m was built to prepare capercaillie, in an effort to eventually release them into the wild.

In addition to breeding and tracking capercaillie, through their aviary they aim to show this mysterious and timid species to bird lovers. They are developing nature based economies in the area through wildlife photography of capercaillie from the aviary observatory. Additionally, they organize visits to the natural sights in the surrounding areas, and organize accommodation with meals in the immediate vicinity.

Project: Rewilding Capercaillie
Region: Prezid, Croatia
Type of project: Fostering the development of nature based economies, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Through connecting with scientists and sharing experiences about capercaillie, the initiative aims to work with various stakeholders to ensure the revitalization of capercaillie in Croatia.
The vision of this initiative is the comeback of capercaillie into the wild accompanied by scientific research, and the development of nature based tourism in the area through wildlife photography.
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Investigate the causes of the disappearance in detail, conduct long-term monitoring, ensure the comeback of capercaillie in Croatia and work with the scientific community.
Results so far: In 2015, they hosted the first national symposium of capercaillie breeding in Croatia. In 2016, the first capercaillie chicks bred through this initiative hatched. On July 2019, they officially opened the Central European Breeding Centre Tetrijeb in Gorski Kotar, including a large aviary.
They have found that one-year-old males eat eggs from the nest, as they are not alpha males, which is a newly discovered cause of disappearance of capercaillie.
They have developed nature based economies in the area from the wildlife photography of capercaillie.
Inspirational value: They have already made significant discoveries on capercaillie behavior and reproduction, that could benefit this species survival and reintroduction.
Experience you would like to share: In this business you have to be persistent, hardworking, passionate, and aware that the generation after you will profit.
The collaboration with scientific research can be very useful to rewilding initiatives and provide essential information.
Experience you would like to gain: We would like to work together internationally to protect and monitor different species of birds.
Map
Country
Croatia
Start year
2012
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Capercaillie
Rewilding Capercaillie
This initiative especially deals with exploring the causes of disappearance, wedding singing and fertilization of capercaillie
Ivica Križ
The capercaillie is a strictly protected species of mountain bird from the Ice Age. It has been protected in the Republic of Croatia since 2005.
Ivica Križ
Current data indicates that the population of capercaillie in Croatia today is so low that without the introduction of new individuals it will not be able to regenerate itself.
Ivica Križ
The artificial breeding of capercaillie is extremely complex and still full of unknowns, especially when it comes to the final stage or release.
Ivica Križ
A large aviary measuring 80m x 80m x 4-8m in height was built at Farjev Laz, near Tršće
Ivica Križ
In addition to breeding and tracking capercaillie, aviaries aim to show this mysterious and timid species to bird lovers.
Ivica Križ

The capercaillie is a species of mountain bird from the Ice Age, that has been protected in the Republic of Croatia since 2005. Rewilding capercaillie is primarily concerned with the revitalization of capercaillie with the goal of reintroducing these protected mountain birds in Gorski Kotar.

This initiative cooperates with academic and governmental institutions, such as the University of Zagreb and the croatian Ministry of Environment and Energy. Rewilding capercaillie especially deals with exploring the causes of disappearance, mating calls, and breeding of capercaillie, and they have already made significant discoveries on capercaillie behavior and reproduction.

This initiative prepares suitable habitats for the resettlement and monitoring of capercaillie and are developing necessary steps for capercaillie reintroduction. In 2019 the Central European Breeding Centre Tetrijeb was officially opened, which includes a large pre-release aviary measuring 80m x 80m was built to prepare capercaillie, in an effort to eventually release them into the wild.

In addition to breeding and tracking capercaillie, through their aviary they aim to show this mysterious and timid species to bird lovers. They are developing nature based economies in the area through wildlife photography of capercaillie from the aviary observatory. Additionally, they organize visits to the natural sights in the surrounding areas, and organize accommodation with meals in the immediate vicinity.

Map
Country
Croatia
Start year
2012
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Capercaillie
Specification
Project: Rewilding Capercaillie
Region: Prezid, Croatia
Description
Type of project: Fostering the development of nature based economies, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Through connecting with scientists and sharing experiences about capercaillie, the initiative aims to work with various stakeholders to ensure the revitalization of capercaillie in Croatia.
The vision of this initiative is the comeback of capercaillie into the wild accompanied by scientific research, and the development of nature based tourism in the area through wildlife photography.
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Investigate the causes of the disappearance in detail, conduct long-term monitoring, ensure the comeback of capercaillie in Croatia and work with the scientific community.
Results so far: In 2015, they hosted the first national symposium of capercaillie breeding in Croatia. In 2016, the first capercaillie chicks bred through this initiative hatched. On July 2019, they officially opened the Central European Breeding Centre Tetrijeb in Gorski Kotar, including a large aviary.
They have found that one-year-old males eat eggs from the nest, as they are not alpha males, which is a newly discovered cause of disappearance of capercaillie.
They have developed nature based economies in the area from the wildlife photography of capercaillie.
Exchange
Inspirational value: They have already made significant discoveries on capercaillie behavior and reproduction, that could benefit this species survival and reintroduction.
Experience you would like to share: In this business you have to be persistent, hardworking, passionate, and aware that the generation after you will profit.<br /> The collaboration with scientific research can be very useful to rewilding initiatives and provide essential information.
Experience you would like to gain: We would like to work together internationally to protect and monitor different species of birds.
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