Historic Hatch: Great Indian Bustard Chick Born in Gujarat After Decade of Conservation Efforts

In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation, Gujarat has welcomed its first great Indian bustard chick in a decade, as announced by the Union Environment Ministry on March 28. This achievement marks a hopeful turn in the efforts to revive the critically endangered species, which has seen its population decline drastically over the years.

The great Indian bustard, once prevalent across the Indian subcontinent, is now on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of individuals remaining in the wild. Gujarat has been home to just three solitary female bustards, highlighting the urgency of conservation measures. The successful hatching of the chick in Kachchh was made possible through a novel conservation strategy known as the “jumpstart approach.” This involved transporting an incubated egg from a breeding center in Rajasthan to Gujarat, covering a distance of over 770 kilometers.

The egg, which had been nurtured in captivity, was placed in the nest of a female bustard in Gujarat. This female had previously laid an infertile egg in August 2025, due to the absence of a male. On March 22, the infertile egg was replaced with the incubated one, which successfully hatched on March 26, marking a momentous occasion for conservationists.

This remarkable achievement came about after extensive negotiations and collaboration between the state governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat, facilitated by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Minister Bhupendra Yadav expressed his congratulations to all scientists and officials involved in this crucial initiative, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the success of wildlife conservation.

The transportation of the egg also paved the way for a crucial corridor between Sam in Rajasthan and Naliya in Gujarat, enhancing the prospects for the species’ recovery in the region. As conservationists continue to battle against time to save the great Indian bustard, this chick’s hatching serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the dedication of those committed to preserving India’s rich biodiversity.

Source: scroll.in