SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state has boosted the population of grouse in Eastern Washington this spring.
Greater sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both listed by the state as threatened species, were relocated to the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County.
The state captured 37 sage grouse from healthy populations near Vale, Ore., and they were released on the wildlife area in late March. It’s the fifth such release since 2008.
Also, 20 sharp-tailed grouse captured near Burley, Idaho, were released on another part of the wildlife area in late April. It was the seventh such release since 2005.
Grouse numbers have been greatly reduced by removal of native vegetation and other disturbances, leaving only remnant populations.
