98 Great Indian Bustard chicks bred in Rajasthan as conservation project enters rewilding stage

India’s conservation programme for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard is preparing to release captive-bred birds into the wild under its next phase of rewilding, after captive-breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district produced 98 chicks of the species.

The development was shared by Union minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in a post on his official X account on Friday. The progress of the conservation programme was reviewed during the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, held at the Central Academy for State Forest Service in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the same day.

‘Extensive scientific preparations are underway to ensure the safe release of captive-bred birds into the wild. Necessary infrastructure, monitoring systems and management protocols are being put in place to maximise the birds’ chances of survival,’ Yadav said.

The minister credited the Wildlife Institute of India and the forest departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat for their role in scientific breeding, habitat management and continuous monitoring of the species. He also highlighted a second ‘Jump Start’ intervention carried out in Naliya, Gujarat, where a Great Indian Bustard chick born on May 21, 2026, has crossed the critical 40-day survival period, considered one of the most vulnerable stages in the bird’s life.

Wildlife experts said the scientific captive breeding programme and the upcoming rewilding effort have significantly improved the prospects for the recovery of the species.