Rewilding Operation Begins for Endangered Great Indian Bustard Chicks in Jaisalmer

Strategic Relocation to Godawan Conservation Centre

In a targeted effort to bolster the population of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, three chicks have transitioned into a custom-engineered rewilding tunnel at the Godawan Conservation Centre in Ramdevra, Jaisalmer. This facility serves as a halfway point between controlled breeding and the harsh realities of the open desert. The project represents a significant shift in strategy for the state bird of Rajasthan, also known locally as the Godawan.

The Logistics of Wild Preparation

Valued at ₹9.25 crore, the rewilding infrastructure is designed to replicate the species' natural desert ecology while strictly limiting human interaction. Over a four-month period, these chicks will exist under constant CCTV surveillance. Officials have structured the environment to ensure that food is provided without direct human presence, forcing the birds to develop essential behaviors including:

• Foraging for sustenance in a simulated natural environment.
• Navigating open, arid terrain.
• Developing instincts necessary for survival against desert predators and conditions.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashok Singh noted that the primary objective is readying the birds for safe rehabilitation into their indigenous habitat. Forest officials labeled this movement a historic milestone for the conservation program, which seeks to transition from captive breeding to active population restoration.

Reintroduction to Desert National Park

Upon the successful completion of this four-month acclimation phase, the birds will be released into the Desert National Park. This operation serves as a pilot for future large-scale reintroductions. If these three chicks successfully adapt to the wild, the program will likely expand, offering a blueprint for recovering Rajasthan's Great Indian Bustard numbers through systematic captive-to-wild transitions.

Source: The Hindu — Home