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The bird was among the first captive-bred individuals reintroduced into the habitat to bolster the critically endangered wild population
One of the heaviest flying birds in the world, the GIB, or Godawan as it is called by locals, is on the brink of extinction. Representational image/News18
India’s ambitious species recovery project suffered a major setback after a six-month-old, captive-bred Great Indian Bustard was killed by a desert fox in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park. The young male bird was killed just four days after being released into the wild as part of a landmark rewilding trial.
Forest officials and monitoring teams located the satellite tracking collar alongside mutilated remains and feathers at the site, confirming the predatory attack.
Satellite Collar Tracking Uncovers Fatal Predation
The bird was among the first captive-bred individuals reintroduced into the habitat to bolster the critically endangered wild population. Following the loss of the tracking signal, field teams from the Wildlife Institute of India and the forest department rushed to the location, recovering the satellite transmitter and collecting biological samples for verification.
Wildlife authorities noted that predation remains a natural and inherent challenge during rewilding, as captive-born species often lack the honed instinct needed to detect predators in open terrain.
Surviving Birds Monitored as Further Releases Reassessed
The remaining three released bustards are currently safe and under continuous observation by field teams inside the park boundary. Their real-time movements and feeding habits are being tracked via satellite collars to ensure immediate intervention if required.
At A Glance
A captive-bred Great Indian Bustard was killed by a desert fox in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park just four days after its release.
The six-month-old male bird was part of a landmark rewilding trial intended to bolster the critically endangered wild population.
Three other released bustards remain safe and under continuous observation via satellite tracking collars.
Wildlife experts are reviewing safety protocols before proceeding with the planned release of seven additional captive-reared bustards.
The global wild population of the Great Indian Bustard is estimated at approximately 130 individuals.
In light of the incident, wildlife experts and conservation authorities are reviewing safety protocols before proceeding with the planned release of seven additional captive-reared bustards.
High Stakes for One of Earth’s Rarest Flying Birds
Standing up to 1.2 metres tall and weighing up to 15 kilograms, the Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds on the planet. Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, its wild population is estimated at just around 130 individuals, predominantly concentrated in Rajasthan.
While power lines and habitat loss remain the long-term existential threats to the species, the loss highlights the intense ecological hurdles involved in acclimatising captive-bred birds to hostile, natural wilderness.
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Ask News18A six-month-old, captive-bred male Great Indian Bustard was killed by a desert fox in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park just four days after being released into the wild.
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Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
October 21, 2026, 5:01 PM IST
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