Two Captive-Bred Great Indian Bustards Released Into Wild in Rajasthan

In a significant milestone for the conservation of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two captive-bred male birds into the wild at the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on October 4, 2026. This event marks the first successful rewilding of the species from a controlled breeding environment into its natural habitat.

The Rajasthan Forest Department established approximately 200 square kilometres of fenced grassland enclosures inside Desert National Park as prime breeding habitat for the species.

Rewilding and Scientific Preparation

The two birds were not released directly from the breeding facility. According to reports, they underwent a thorough scientific preparation process, including a stay in a rewilding tunnel for approximately two to three months. During this period, the birds were trained to fly in open environments, forage for food, and exhibit natural behaviors. Scientists continuously monitored their health and behavior to ensure they were capable of surviving in the wild. To facilitate ongoing research, both birds have been fitted with GPS tags, allowing the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to monitor their movements, flight patterns, and habitat usage 24/7.

Conservation Breeding Program

The release is part of a collaborative initiative involving the Union Environment Ministry, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the WII, with technical support from the International Fund for Houbara Conservation and funding from the National CAMPA. The conservation facilities in Sam and Ramdevra currently house 97 birds, with 40 originating from wild-laid eggs and 57 bred in captivity. Of these, 86 are maintained for captive reproduction, while 11 have been earmarked for future release. The breeding program has shown steady progress, producing 24 live chicks in 2025 and 29 in 2026. In addition to captive breeding, the program employs a 'jumpstart' approach, where captive-laid eggs are placed in wild nests to be incubated by wild females, a method that has already resulted in the hatching of several chicks in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The jumpstart method involves placing captive-laid eggs into wild nests where wild females incubate and hatch them, having successfully yielded six chicks in Rajasthan and two in Gujarat.