Critically Endangered Bustard Chick Vanishes in Gujarat

A month-old Great Indian Bustard chick, born in the wild in Gujarat's Kutch on March 26, has been missing since April 18. This event follows a pioneering inter-state egg transfer from Rajasthan, marking the first wild hatching in Gujarat in ten years and the nation's first such operation. The critically endangered bird, with a declining population possibly under 150 individuals, faces threats from power line collisions and ground predators. Gujarat's wild population has dwindled to only two to three females.

Conservation efforts, including a jumpstart technique and Supreme Court-mandated recovery measures, are underway. However, experts point to incomplete habitat restoration and inadequate predator-proof fencing at the Naliya grassland site. The Supreme Court had directed immediate implementation of conservation measures, including predator management and grassland restoration, following an expert committee report dated December 19, 2025. Forest officials are investigating the chick's disappearance, not ruling out predation, while vowing to continue recovery efforts and habitat improvement.

Future conservation in Kutch will involve similar interventions for future eggs and habitat enhancements like predator fencing and water management. However, experts stress the necessity of securing large, safe habitats free from power line hazards for the species' revival. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing renewable energy expansion with the critical needs of endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard.