A captive-bred Great Indian Bustard died after a desert fox attacked it in Jaisalmer’s Desert National Park on Sunday. The bird was released last Wednesday. WII director Gobind Sagar Bharadwaj said, "Predation in the wild is natural and is bound to happen." Officials are now reviewing safety protocols for others.
Jaisalmer: The experimental release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) into the wild in Jaisalmer has suffered a setback after a desert fox killed a six-month-old male bird in Desert National Park Sunday.The bird, released last Wednesday, was drinking water at a gajlar, a natural water point, when the fox attacked it.The incident came to light through satellite tracking, prompting Wildlife Institute of India (WII) scientists and Forest Department officials monitoring the birds from a control room at Sam breeding centre to rush to the spot.By the time the team arrived, the fox had left. Officials recovered scattered feathers and remains of the bird, collected blood samples for examination at a higher-level laboratory and retrieved the satellite-tracking device attached to it.WII scientists are reviewing the release protocol and conservation measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents. The remaining seven birds identified for release will be released only after the programme and its safeguards have been reviewed.Under the first phase of the experimental programme, 11 captive-bred GIBs, aged around six months, were identified for release. On Oct 4, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav flagged off the release of two satellite-tagged male birds at the Sudasari release site in Jaisalmer's Sam region.
The birds were bred at WII's Sam breeding centre.
Two more male GIBs were released at the same site last Wednesday by a joint team of WII scientists and Forest Department officials. One of them was killed Sunday. According to sources, the other three birds released into the wild remain safe and continue to fly in Desert National Park. Their movements and habitat use are being monitored through satellite tracking.An official described the incident as a natural predation event, noting that desert foxes and other wild animals inhabit the park. Despite protective measures and patrols, the fox attacked the bird while it was drinking water.WII director Gobind Sagar Bharadwaj said, "Predation in the wild is natural and is bound to happen. Our teams include forest staff in the field and are well motivated. Such incidents will further strengthen their determination to achieve the objectives of bustard conservation plan."
The incident highlights the challenges of reintroducing captive-bred GIBs into their natural habitat, even as the experimental programme aims to restore the population of the critically endangered species.