PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
A population of grey partridge (Perdix perdix) was present in the ‘Valle del Mezzano’ Natura 2000 network site (SPA) in northern Italy until 25 years old. The species had a population size of 12 000 individuals in this site at the beginning of 1980. A drastic reduction in population size occurred in spring 1985 due to heavy snow falls, predation and excessive control of vegetation during the bird’s nesting period. Nowadays, the species is extinct in Italy in the wild.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of LIFE PERDIX is to re-establish a stable and viable population of Italian grey partridge (Perdix perdix) in the ‘Valle del Mezzano’ Natura 2000 network site in northern Italy, through captive breeding and the genetic selection of an endemic Italian grey partridge for reintroductions.
The project aims to:
Secure the future for Italian grey partridge through ex-situ conservation in public game bird breeding centres, to raise birds for this and further reintroduction projects in Italy; Integrate the positive experiences of grey partridge management carried out in agroecosystems in France; Start a participative conservation process with the direct involvement of local communities, landowners and other stakeholders, using a community forum and monitoring based on ‘citizen science’; and Provide a strategic contribution to the reintroduction/restocking of grey partridge in Europe - in order to ensure replicability and transferability – in places where the species is declining and where there are threats to the integrity of gene pools of local populations (e.g. Perdix perdix hispaniensis). The project directly implements the EU Birds Directive.
Expected results:
Viable and stable population of Italian grey partridge in the ‘Valle del Mezzano’ Natura 2000 site, with 2 288 breeding pairs on about 18 000 ha by project end; Breeding stock of Italian grey partridge selected on the basis of genetic characteristics of the Italian endemic taxon (through the genetic analysis of 2 250 birds), for use in ex-situ and in-situ conservation projects; Transformation of a conventional private breeding centre into a centre for conservation of the Italian grey partridge; Spare breeding stock of Italian grey partridge (3 000 birds) dispersed into another three public centers for ex situ conservation in Bieri (Lucca), Grosseto and Perugia, for further reintroduction projects inItaly; Improvement of the release area’s carrying capacity, and significant mitigation of its threats and limiting factors, for grey partridge; Organisation of six training courses for land managers, and Italian and French stakeholders, to enable them to acquire knowledge on best practices for grey partridge management and conservation; Staff in protected areas and in other management institutions adequately trained and informed regarding conservation and sustainable management of Italian grey partridge (at least 40 technicians and managers involved, and at least 20 gamekeepers); Involvement of local hunters, environmentalists and other local stakeholders (e.g. at least 1 000 people in Ferrara province), with 300 000 Italian hunters kept regularly well-informed; and Production of 5 000 copies of a guidebook (in French, Italian and English) on the best strategies for sustainable management and conservation of grey partridge populations and conservation of the indigenous (autochthonous) biodiversity of the species.
