Genetic variation in a Chinese grouse Bonasa sewerzowi population was assessed using five microsatellite markers. The mean number of alleles and allelic richness were comparable with what has been observed in other grouse, e.g. black grouse Tetrao tetrix and capercaillie T. urogallus, populations studied with the same markers regardless of whether these populations were isolated or from within the continuous range of the respective species. However, the proportion of heterozygotes and F_IS observed in Chinese grouse were more similar to isolated than to continuous grouse populations suggesting that the Chinese grouse population may show genetic signs of habitat fragmentation and relative isolation. Furthermore, demographic analyses indicated that the studied Chinese grouse population would not persist without immigration. We suggest that excess heterozygosity is a sign of a sink deme within a metapopulation system.