Rare GIB chick disappears from Kutch habitat

A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick, born on March 26 in Gujarat's Kutch region, has been missing for the last three to four days. Despite extensive efforts by the state forest department and the Wildlife Institute of India, the chick remains unlocated. The hatching itself was a significant achievement, marking the first GIB chick born in Gujarat in a decade through the 'jumpstart technique', a captive-to-wild transfer method.

Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, expressed concern that the chick might have been preyed upon by smaller predators, a risk inherent in its natural habitat. The jumpstart approach, which involves placing a fertile egg from a breeding center into a wild bird's nest, aims to boost the critically endangered species' population. However, this method does not entirely eliminate post-hatching mortality, with chick survival rates remaining challenging.

Conservation efforts in Gujarat are set to continue, with plans to sustain the breeding program and introduce additional chicks. Two female GIBs have been tagged to monitor nesting activities and collect eggs from Rajasthan for future breeding. Simultaneously, habitat improvement measures, including predator management and water systems, are being implemented to enhance future conservation successes in the region.