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Hope Soars: 3 Critically Endangered GIB Chicks Hatch
6 Apr
Summary
- Three new Great Indian Bustard chicks have hatched using artificial insemination.
- The breeding centers in Jaisalmer now house a total of 76 Great Indian Bustards.
- Project Bustard aims to conserve the critically endangered state bird of Rajasthan.
Three new chicks of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) have been born in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, thanks to artificial insemination (AI) technology. These births at the Wildlife Institute of India's breeding centers bring the total population there to 76 individuals. This significant development offers renewed hope for the survival of the GIB, Rajasthan's state bird.
The births occurred recently, with two chicks hatching at the Sudashri Godawan Breeding Centre and one at the Ramdevra Godawan Breeding Centre. The use of AI is proving crucial for the species' survival, enabling reproduction where natural breeding is challenging. This conservation effort is a joint venture between the WII and the Rajasthan Forest Department.
Experts are closely monitoring the AI-born chicks, focusing on their diet, health, and behavioral development to ensure they can thrive in natural habitats. The decline of the GIB population is attributed to factors like power line collisions, poaching, and environmental changes, making controlled breeding and protection vital strategies.
This conservation success is not isolated; a GIB chick also recently hatched in Gujarat, marking a decade-long inter-state conservation achievement. The efforts in Jaisalmer are viewed as a model for national wildlife conservation, highlighting the importance of scientific methods and governmental collaboration.
