A rare perspective of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse being released into the wild in Eastern WA

WATCH: A rare perspective of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse being released into the wild in Eastern Washington.
In April 2024, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists worked with the Bureau of Land Management and authorities in British Columbia to successfully translocate 60 endangered Columbian sharp-tailed grouse from B.C. to sites in Eastern Washington. Since 2018, WDFW has been working with biologists in British Columbia, Canada and other partners to bring Columbian sharp-tailed grouse to Washington to boost endangered stateside populations. When the sharp-tailed grouse finally make it to their release sites at WDFW wildlife areas, they are released from their transport carriers and eagerly make their way into their new environment. Using satellite and radio collars, WDFW biologists track and monitor the movements of the relocated birds. GPS data allows biologists to see how the birds move across the landscape, note where they decide to settle in, and track mortalities or abnormalities.
Washington populations of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse may have once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but today, the total population is less than 600 birds. These remaining birds occupy less than five percent of their historical range in seven remnant populations in Douglas, Lincoln, and Okanogan counties. 2024 marks the sixth successful year of these translocation efforts and represents hope for recovery for this state-endangered bird. You can learn more about Columbian sharp-tailed grouse translocations by reading our 2023 blog post: / international-cooperat...