Sir, – With the future survival of one of Scotland's iconic members of the grouse family, the Capercaillie – once enjoyed in plentiful numbers all over the Grampians – in doubt, we have to face the fact that it may be gone within 10 to 20 years.

With many meetings, debates, and plans made about saving the Capercaillie, funded by many millions of pounds of public money given to conservationist charities, like RSPB and other bodies, they have failed to achieve anything to help save the Capercaillie.

That's because their main interest is protecting raptors and predators, like the Pine Marten, Badgers, etc. These all predate the Capercaillie so until raptor and predator numbers are controlled, the Capercaillie has very little chance of survival.

Maybe it's time other organisations and conservationist bodies be allowed to demonstrate what can be done by properly controlling predators in another area where the Capercaillie can be saved, without using vast sums of public money.

Patrick Sleigh, West Fingask, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie.