Two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards were released in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park on October 4, moving a conservation programme from preparation to a closely monitored field trial. The Environment Ministry confirmed the morning release at Sam in Jaisalmer in an 11:33 a.m. IST statement.
This is a new step after the October 3 opening of a rewilding aviary, when the release was still scheduled for the following day. The Times of India’s October 4 report and ANI’s interviews with officials confirm that the two birds were released inside a Restricted-to-Humans enclosure, where access is controlled to limit disturbance.
Wildlife Institute of India director Gobind Sagar Bhardwaj told ANI that the birds had been tagged for monitoring. Scientists will observe their movements, feeding and adaptation, and the results will inform whether and how more birds are released. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav likewise identified monitoring the two males as the immediate priority.
The programme involves the Union environment ministry, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India. The release is an important conservation step for the critically endangered species, but it is not evidence of long-term survival or successful breeding in the wild. Those outcomes remain to be assessed.