Aims: the aims of the breeding and genetic reserve centre are to form a captive stock that will act as a genetic reserve and contain the greatest genetic variety possible, to product specimen that will be capable of reproduction when they reach sexual maturity, both the improve the captive stock and for release into the wild, to strengthen and reintroduce population and research on important aspects for conserving the subspecies and the difficult study of wild birds. Partner: Asturias

Description: The strategy for Conserving the Cantabrian Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) in Spain involves the commitment to set up a captive breeding programme, creating a genetic reserve and a protocol for reintroducing or strengthening population, to reduce the effect of treats to the subspecies. The captive breeding programme, created by the Cantabrian Capercaillie Work Group, was approve by the National Committee for the Protection of Nature on 18 October 2005 and countersigned by the Environmental Sector conference at its meeting on 7 November 2005.

To carry out this programme, the Cantabrian capercaillie captive breeding and genetic reserve centre in the village of Sobrescobio (Redes Natural Park, Asturias), which started work in July 2009 with specimen. Captive breeding is part of a general conservation plan for the subspecies, mainly focussed on conserving and improving its habitat and the wild populations that currently exist.

The breeding centre follows an action plan drawn up as part of preparatory action A.3. and the population strengthening programme drawn up as part of action A.4.