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Great Indian Bustards Soar: New Hope for Critically Endangered Species
15 Oct
Summary
- Four captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released in Jaisalmer.
- Project Bustard aims to rebuild the dwindling population of the species.
- Released birds are tagged and monitored for adaptation and survival.
In a significant conservation milestone, two more captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) were released into the wild in Jaisalmer on Wednesday. This release, part of a pilot project under 'Project Bustard,' brings the total number of satellite-tagged GIBs released to four. Seven more birds are slated for release soon, with the latest birds introduced within the Desert National Park.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav hailed the captive breeding and release as a challenging yet encouraging achievement. He noted that the first phase of Project Bustard aims to release eleven GIBs, with seven more expected to join the wild population shortly. Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India are monitoring the released birds.
The GIBs are adapting well, foraging naturally and interacting with wild populations. This initiative is crucial for establishing a sustainable wild population of Rajasthan's state bird, a critically endangered species.
