Jaisalmer: A six-month-old male Great Indian Bustard released into the wild in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park has reportedly been killed by a desert fox just four days after its release, according to a report from Jaisalmer.
The bird had been raised at a breeding centre in the Sam area of Jaisalmer and was released into the Desert National Park on October 14. On October 18, it reportedly went to a pond known as Gajlair in the Sam region to drink water, where a desert fox attacked it.
According to the report, satellite tracking data revealed the bird’s fate. The tracking system helped officials identify what had happened after the bustard was released into its natural habitat.
The incident has raised concerns about the challenges involved in reintroducing captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild. The species is critically endangered, and conservation programmes are working to increase its population through captive breeding and carefully managed releases.
The loss is a setback for conservation efforts, as each bird plays a potentially important role in supporting the survival of this rare species. However, further details about the circumstances of the attack and the monitoring findings were not included in the supplied information.
Following the incident, the planned release of seven additional Great Indian Bustards has reportedly been postponed. The delay is expected to allow authorities to review the situation before proceeding with further releases.
The Great Indian Bustard is one of India’s most threatened bird species, and its survival depends on habitat protection, breeding initiatives and measures to reduce risks in the wild. Officials’ next steps will be important in determining how the release programme proceeds.
