Vosges reintroduction program sees Western Capercaillie reproduction

A female Western Capercaillie named Nora, which was released as part of a reintroduction program in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park in 2024, has successfully produced offspring. A hiker observed the bird with four young in early August, and subsequent biological sampling and camera trap images confirmed the presence of the chicks.

This development offers a potential sign of hope for the reintroduction program, which has faced significant criticism due to high mortality rates among released birds, often caused by predation. While Nora had previously attempted to nest in 2025, that attempt failed when her eggs were predated. This successful breeding suggests that reintroduced females may be able to adapt and survive in the Vosges massif.