Jaisalmer: Amid heightened security concerns following India’s Operation Sindoor, nine critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks have been relocated from Jaisalmer to Ajmer to ensure their safety, officials confirmed.
The chicks, aged between 5 and 28 days, were moved in specially designed soft-suspension vehicles to minimize stress and physical impact during transport. The decision was made after increased drone activity and loud noise disturbances were reported in the region following the military operation, which heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
According to Brijmohan Gupta, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Desert National Park, the chicks were transported from Sudasari and Ramdevra breeding centres near the international border to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) facility in Arwar village, Ajmer district. These birds are known to be extremely sensitive to loud noises, which posed a threat to their well-being amid the ongoing cross-border developments.
The relocation was carried out by a team of scientists and forest officials who assessed the security situation and deemed it necessary to protect the chicks from any potential harm. The GIBs are part of India’s only Bustard Recovery Programme, a collaborative effort between the Wildlife Institute of India and the Rajasthan Forest Department. The programme, which has been operational at Sam and Ramdevra centres, has successfully resulted in the hatching of 18 chicks this year.
Currently, the breeding centres house 59 GIBs, including chicks. With this relocation, 50 remain in Jaisalmer. The chicks were transported in two custom-designed vehicles equipped with cushioned compartments and sand bedding, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.
Declared critically endangered in 2011, the Great Indian Bustard population continues to decline due to habitat loss, poaching, and infrastructural threats. The temporary relocation aims to safeguard the continuity of the breeding and conservation programme. Authorities will assess the situation in the coming weeks to determine whether the chicks will remain in Ajmer or return to Jaisalmer once conditions stabilize.
