Tom Powell
SPANISH great bustards are being released in the UK.
The great bustards in Spain share closer DNA links to the original UK natives, the last of which was shot in 1832.
The Great Bustard Group (GBG) has been re-introducing Russian birds to Wiltshire and Hampshire since 2004, but it has now been discovered that the Spanish variety are a better genetic match.
“It’s exciting news, the Spanish population is the largest in the world, is increasing and is largely sedentary,” said David Waters, GBG director.
Spain will send 33 of the birds to be released at two secret sites later this year.
