Jaisalmer: Three Great Indian Bustard chicks have been successfully hatched under Project GIB in Rajasthan, giving a significant boost to efforts aimed at saving one of India's most critically endangered bird species.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the development on Monday in a post on X. He stated that three chicks were hatched in the last few days — one from a wild-collected egg and two from eggs laid in captivity. All three have been inducted into the conservation breeding programme.
With the latest additions, the number of Great Indian Bustards, also known as Godawan, in conservation breeding centres has risen to 94.
Yadav noted that the captive breeding programme, now in its fourth year, has produced 26 chicks so far this season. Of these, 18 were born through artificial insemination, four through natural breeding, and four from wild-collected eggs.
He also mentioned that three chicks have been successfully raised in the wild under the "Jumpstart Intervention" programme in Rajasthan, replacing eggs collected from natural habitats.
The programme aims to widen the genetic diversity of the founder population and reduce the risk of eggs and chicks being lost to predators in the wild.
Experts say the use of captive breeding along with jumpstart methods is critical to rebuilding the Great Indian Bustard population and improving its chances of long-term survival in its natural habitat.
The breeding season is still underway, and more chicks are expected to hatch in the coming weeks.
