Gamekeepers are warning capercaillie could be lost from Scotland for a second time, unless steps are taken to control pine marten numbers.
The pine marten is one of Scotland's rarest native mammal species but the capercaillie population is falling.
The Scottish Gamekeepers' Association believes pine martens are having a major impact on the iconic species.
RSPB Scotland says the SGA's position is "riddled with basic inaccuracies and sheer prejudice".
The capercaillie, a huge, woodland grouse, became extinct in Scotland around 1785 but was reintroduced, using birds from Sweden, just over 50 years later.
Important factorThere are fears that the capercaillie will once again become extinct in Scotland, although the reasons for the population decline are complex and often disputed.
Gamekeepers argue predation by pine martens is an important factor which has been ignored by scientists and conservation groups.
The SGA is calling on the government agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, to introduce licences to allow pine martens to be controlled.
That could involve trapping and relocation or culling.
A spokesman for the SGA said: "Predation levels across the board have risen and are now far too high for capercaillie numbers to get above the levels required to be safe.
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