India Welcomes First Captive-Bred Great Indian Bustard Chick of 2025 in Rajasthan

Jaisalmer : Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today shared the exciting news of the successful hatching of the first captive-bred Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick of 2025. The announcement marks a significant milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to conserve and restore the population of this critically endangered bird.

In a social media post, Minister Yadav revealed that the egg was laid on 12th February by a 4-year-old female named Rewa after mating with a breeding male, Leo, on 7th February at the Sam Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The egg was artificially hatched by the dedicated team working under Project GIB, a conservation initiative aimed at saving one of the rarest birds on the planet.

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), once commonly found in the grasslands of India and Pakistan, is now critically endangered, with an estimated fewer than 200 individuals remaining in the wild. The primary threats to its survival include habitat destruction, collisions with power lines, poaching, and declining grassland ecosystems.

To combat this, the Indian government, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Rajasthan Forest Department, and international conservation groups, launched Project GIB, focusing on captive breeding, habitat protection, and mitigation of threats such as high-voltage transmission lines.

The Jaisalmer Conservation Breeding Centre plays a crucial role in the species’ survival, with scientists and conservationists working on artificial incubation, controlled breeding, and reintroduction programs.

The success of Rewa and Leo in producing a healthy chick offers hope for the species’ revival. The breeding team will closely monitor the chick’s growth, ensuring it develops the necessary survival skills before potential reintroduction into the wild.

With government support and scientific advancements, India’s conservationists are striving to reverse the decline of the Great Indian Bustard, making this recent hatching a significant victory in the fight to protect the nation’s precious biodiversity.