Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav revealed that three new chicks have been welcomed into the Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) conservation breeding program. This brings the total number of hatched chicks in the fourth year of captive breeding to 26. The recent additions include one wild-collected egg and two captive-laid eggs.
Yadav shared the news on a social media platform, mentioning that the captive stock has now reached 94 birds, with more chicks anticipated in the current season. In this fourth year of GIB captive breeding, a total of 26 chicks have hatched, comprising 18 through artificial insemination, four through natural breeding, and four from wild-collected eggs.
The Minister highlighted that as part of the conservation efforts, three chicks have hatched in the wild in Rajasthan in exchange for the wild eggs. This initiative aims to enhance founder genetic diversity and reduce predation risk. Yadav also expressed optimism about the project’s progress, emphasizing the successful breeding outcomes achieved so far.
Yadav previously announced the commencement of the fourth year of the Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) captive breeding program, with the birth of two new chicks at the Conservation Breeding Centre in Rajasthan. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the project is advancing positively towards its objectives. The Minister mentioned plans for the soft release of some captive-bred chicks into the wild, marking a significant step forward for the initiative.
