Gujarat’s ‘Jump Start’ Great Indian Bustard chick crosses critical 40-day survival mark

A Great Indian Bustard chick born under Gujarat’s ‘Jump Start’ conservation intervention in Naliya has crossed the critical 40-day survival period, considered one of the most vulnerable stages in the bird’s life, Union minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said in a post on his official X account on Friday.

The chick, born on May 21, 2026, marks the second successful ‘Jump Start’ intervention for the critically endangered species. Yadav credited the Wildlife Institute of India and the forest departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat for their role in scientific breeding, habitat management and continuous monitoring of the bird.

The update came alongside news that India’s broader conservation programme for the Great Indian Bustard is now preparing to release captive-bred birds into the wild, after captive-breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district produced 98 chicks. ‘Extensive scientific preparations are underway to ensure the safe release of captive-bred birds into the wild. Necessary infrastructure, monitoring systems and management protocols are being put in place to maximise the birds’ chances of survival,’ Yadav said.

The progress was reviewed during the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, held at the Central Academy for State Forest Service in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on Friday. Wildlife experts said the combination of successful captive breeding and the upcoming rewilding programme has significantly improved prospects for the species’ recovery.