CREATE TABLE table_204_869 (id DECIMAL, "species" TEXT, "country of origin" TEXT, "total released" DECIMAL, "first release" TEXT, "last release" TEXT, "areas of release" TEXT, "areas established" TEXT, "pasture type" TEXT)

how many different species were released in 1971 ?
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT "species") FROM table_204_869 WHERE "first release" = 1971
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT "species") FROM "table_204_869" WHERE "first release" = 1971