Rare Great Indian Bustard Found Dead in Rajasthan Breeding Center

INIndia|

A five-year-old Great Indian Bustard was discovered dead inside a cage at a breeding center in Sudasari village, Jaisalmer, according to local officials. The species, listed as 'critically endangered' on the IUCN Red List since 2011, faces severe population declines, with numbers dropping by 75% over the last 30 years, information from the Wildlife Institute of India indicates.

Brijmohan Gupta, Deputy Forest Conservator, reported that a head injury was observed during the bird's examination after it was brought to the Desert National Park office. Gupta confirmed, "The Great Indian Bustard is the state bird of Rajasthan, and their number is very less in our country." The bird underwent a post-mortem, and samples were sent to laboratories in Bareilly and Dehradun to identify the exact cause of death.

Despite conservation efforts, major threats to the species include hunting, poaching, and collisions with man-made structures. Currently, Jaisalmer is home to 173 Great Indian Bustards, with 128 in the wild and 45 at the breeding center.

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