Critically endangered Great Indian Bustard population gets a boost from captive breeding success

The Great Indian Bustard, one of the world’s heaviest flying birds and critically endangered, has received a significant boost after captive-breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district produced 98 chicks, according to Union minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

Yadav shared the update in a post on his official X account on Friday, saying India’s conservation programme for the species is now preparing to release captive-bred birds into the wild under its next phase of rewilding. ‘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,’ he said.

The progress 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, on Friday. 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.

A second ‘Jump Start’ intervention carried out in Naliya, Gujarat, also succeeded, with a chick born on May 21, 2026, crossing 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 prospects for the species’ recovery.