Jaisalmer: In a significant step towards conserving the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), four male birds were released into the wild at Desert National Park near Sam village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in October 2026.
The release marks a new phase in the species’ conservation programme after nearly a decade of captive breeding efforts. The four birds are among 10 Great Indian Bustards identified for release from conservation-breeding facilities at Sam and Ramdevra.
Once widely distributed across the western half of India, the Great Indian Bustard has experienced a steep decline in population over the years. According to the Wildlife Institute of India’s 2016–17 annual progress report, the species’ population declined by 75 per cent over the preceding three decades.
Habitat loss and human-induced pressures have been major factors behind the decline. The bird’s slow reproductive rate has further complicated efforts to rebuild its population, increasing the risk of extinction.
Against this backdrop, conservationists established captive-breeding facilities to maintain a viable population and support the species’ recovery in its natural habitat.
The release of the four birds represents an important step in efforts to restore the Great Indian Bustard population in the wild. Continued conservation measures and protection of its natural habitat will be crucial to ensuring the long-term survival of the endangered species.
