A new mother-assisted rearing and release technique (“born to be free”) reduces the exploratory movements and increases survival of young capercaillies

摘要: We compared the mobility and survival rates of two groups young capercaillies that were reared released by different methods. One group consisted 21 radio-tracked chicks incubated, in semi-liberty their captive mother next to cage (mother-assisted group). Another 30 captivity absence (control The mother-assisted gravitated around mother’s cage, moved less had smaller ranges than those control group. males survived on average 549 ± 331 (confidence interval) days while 253 ± 134 days. Corresponding for females was 293 ± 164 56 ± 29 days. believe rearing release reduces mortality capercaillie because they are assisted anti-predator behaviour explore new environment a similar way as hatched wild.