Three Great Indian Bustard Chicks Begin First-Ever Rewilding Trial in Jaisalmer

In a major milestone for wildlife conservation, three captive-bred Great Indian Bustard chicks have been placed in a specially designed rewilding tunnel at the Godawan Conservation Centre in Ramdevra, Jaisalmer, marking the first such initiative in the country.

The ₹9.25 crore state-of-the-art facility has been developed to prepare captive-bred birds for eventual survival in the wild by reducing human interaction and replicating natural environmental conditions. Forest officials described the move as a historic milestone, signalling a shift in the conservation programme from captive breeding towards the reintroduction of the critically endangered species into its natural habitat.

The three chicks will remain in the rewilding tunnel for around four months, during which they will be monitored continuously through CCTV cameras. Food will be provided from outside the enclosure, while direct human contact will be avoided. The approach is intended to help the birds gradually develop essential survival skills, including foraging, navigating open terrain and adapting to desert ecology.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashok Singh said the focus was now on preparing the birds for life in the wild so they could eventually be safely rehabilitated in their natural habitat.

Following the rewilding phase, the chicks are expected to be released into the Desert National Park, where conservation efforts are focused on reviving the species' dwindling natural population.

Wildlife experts believe the initiative could become a game-changer for Great Indian Bustard conservation, with the success of the experiment potentially paving the way for the large-scale release of captive-bred birds into the wild.

The Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan's state bird, has witnessed a drastic decline in numbers over the years and is classified as critically endangered. The latest initiative could bring conservationists closer to the long-term goal of restoring the species across Rajasthan's desert landscape.