The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and human activities. Conservation efforts have been ongoing to save this species from extinction. Read here to learn more about them.
The successful birth of a baby great Indian bustard via artificial insemination (AI) at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, marks a groundbreaking achievement in wildlife conservation.
India has become the first country to use this method to breed the critically endangered great Indian bustard (GIB). These bird species are on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and collisions with power lines.
The Bustard
Bustards are large, ground-dwelling birds in the family Otididae, known for their strong legs, long necks, and distinct courtship displays. These birds are primarily found in open grasslands, scrublands, and semi-desert regions across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
There are several types of bustards, each with unique characteristics and adaptations:
- Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
- Distribution: Found in Europe, particularly Spain, Portugal, and parts of Eastern Europe, as well as in Central Asia.
- Size: One of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 16 kg (35 lbs).
- Characteristics: Known for its striking courtship display and distinctive long moustache-like feathers on males.
- Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
- Distribution: Native to Africa, particularly southern and eastern parts like Botswana, South Africa, and Tanzania.
- Size: The heaviest bird capable of flight, males can reach up to 19 kg (42 lbs).
- Characteristics: It has a brown and grey plumage and is adapted for camouflage in the savannah. It is known for its slow, deliberate movements.
- Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
- Distribution: Primarily found in the Indian subcontinent, especially in the dry regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Conservation Status: Critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Characteristics: Features a tall, upright stance with a brown and white body. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this species.
- Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)
- Distribution: Widespread in Australia, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
- Characteristics: Known locally as the “plains turkey.” It has a greyish body with a white belly and is well adapted to dry environments.
- Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs)
- Distribution: Found across parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, especially in dry savannahs.
- Characteristics: Grayish-brown plumage with a distinctive white underside, feeding on insects and small vertebrates.
- Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax)
- Distribution: Found in Southern Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa.
- Size: Smaller than most other bustards, with a maximum weight of around 1 kg (2.2 lbs).
- Characteristics: Known for its unique mating displays, where males perform jumps and calls to attract females.
- Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus)
- Distribution: Primarily found in India and parts of Pakistan.
- Conservation Status: Critically endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss.
- Characteristics: Known for the male’s spectacular leaping display during mating season. It has a slim body with black and white plumage during breeding.
- Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata and Chlamydotis macqueenii)
- Distribution: Divided into two subspecies: the African Houbara (C. undulata) found in North Africa, and MacQueen’s Bustard (C. macqueenii) in the Middle East and Central Asia.
- Characteristics: These bustards are medium-sized with brownish-grey plumage. Known for their long migrations and are commonly targeted in falconry, particularly in the Middle East.
The Great Indian Bustard
Characteristics:
- Appearance: The Great Indian Bustard is large, with long legs and an upright posture. It has a brownish body with a black crown on the head.
- Habitat: The species primarily inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands in western and central India.
- Population: The population has drastically declined, with estimates suggesting fewer than 150 individuals remaining in the wild, concentrated mainly in Rajasthan.
Threats:
- Habitat Destruction: Agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and industrialization have led to the fragmentation and destruction of its grassland habitat.
- Poaching: Although hunting is now illegal, past hunting practices severely reduced the population.
- Power Lines: A significant recent threat is a collision with high-voltage power lines, as these birds, with their poor frontal vision, often do not see the cables and suffer fatal injuries.
Bustard Recovery Program
The Bustard Recovery Program was initiated by the Government of India and various conservation organizations to prevent the extinction of the Great Indian Bustard.
Key components include:
- Habitat Protection: The government has declared certain areas as wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, which is the stronghold of the remaining GIB population. Efforts are underway to improve and manage these habitats, limiting human interference and promoting the natural growth of grasslands.
- Captive Breeding Program: To increase the population, a captive breeding program was launched in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Under this program, eggs collected from the wild are incubated, and chicks are raised in controlled environments before being released into the wild.
- Mitigating Power Line Threats: Efforts are being made to bury or reroute power lines in areas where the birds are most at risk. Additionally, bird diverters (devices that make power lines more visible to birds) are being installed on transmission lines in critical areas.
- Community Involvement: Local communities, particularly in Rajasthan, are being educated about the importance of the Great Indian Bustard and encouraged to participate in conservation efforts. Ecotourism and sustainable development programs aim to balance conservation with local livelihoods.
- Policy and Advocacy: Organizations like the Wildlife Institute of India and international conservation bodies such as the IUCN are advocating for stricter protections and more funding for bustard conservation.
What is artificial insemination?
Artificial insemination (AI) in wildlife conservation is a key technique used to support endangered species by enabling reproduction without the need for natural mating.
This method, often used in zoo settings and wildlife reserves, involves the collection of sperm from a male and its introduction into a female’s reproductive tract to achieve fertilization.
It is particularly valuable in cases where natural breeding is challenging due to distance, behavioural incompatibility, or health issues in individuals.
Benefits of Artificial Insemination in Wildlife Conservation
- Genetic Diversity: AI helps manage and enhance the genetic pool in captive and semi-captive populations by enabling selective breeding, which reduces inbreeding risks and preserves genetic diversity in endangered species.
- Assisted Reproduction for Rare Species: For critically endangered animals like the giant panda, black rhinoceros, and certain wild cats, AI increases the likelihood of successful reproduction when natural mating is unfeasible or unreliable.
- Storage and Global Transfer of Genetic Material: AI allows for the collection, storage, and transportation of genetic material over long distances, which is critical for breeding programs across different regions or continents. Frozen sperm, for instance, can be shared between conservation facilities globally, enabling collaboration in breeding programs for species recovery.
- Health and Safety: Some species can exhibit aggression during mating, which can lead to injuries. AI reduces these risks by allowing the safe handling of animals during reproductive procedures.
Challenges and Limitations
- Technical Complexity: Successful AI requires a detailed understanding of each species’ reproductive physiology, making it a complex process that often demands specialized veterinary skills.
- Ethical and Welfare Concerns: Frequent handling for reproductive purposes can cause stress in animals, raising ethical questions about the frequency and conditions of AI use.
- Limited Success in Some Species: In some species, AI success rates are low due to difficulties in synchronizing the reproductive cycles of females and other biological factors.
Examples of AI in Conservation
- Giant Pandas: In panda breeding programs, AI has been instrumental in increasing birth rates due to the species’ notoriously low natural fertility and mating interest.
- White Rhinoceroses: AI, combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF), is being researched to save the Northern white rhino, whose population has dwindled to just two known individuals.
- Cheetahs: Given their genetic bottlenecks and the difficulty of natural mating, AI has been employed in zoos to maintain genetic diversity among captive populations.
Conclusion
Many bustard species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. Conservation programs aim to protect these species by establishing protected areas, breeding programs, and awareness campaigns. The Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican, for instance, are critically endangered and focus areas for conservation in India.
AI has become an essential tool in wildlife conservation strategies, especially when integrated with broader efforts like habitat preservation, public awareness, and genetic research.
When used responsibly, AI can be an effective solution to the reproductive challenges that endangered species face in captivity and limited wild populations.
Despite these efforts, the recovery of the Great Indian Bustard faces numerous challenges, including limited funding, insufficient political will, and the slow pace of implementation in mitigating power line threats.
The Great Indian Bustard’s conservation is a race against time, and coordinated efforts between governments, conservationists, and local communities are essential for the survival of this majestic species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. In which state is the Great Indian Bustard found?
Ans: Today, the great Indian bustard is found in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states of India. Desert National Park, near Jaisalmer and the coastal grasslands of the Abdasa and Mandvi talukas of the Kutch District of Gujarat, supports some populations.
Q. Why is Great Indian Bustard significant?
Ans: A grassland species, the Great Indian Bustard, is often considered an indicator of the health of our grasslands or pulse of the grassland ecosystem which unfortunately remained neglected and is considered a wasteland.
Related articles:
- SC Judgment on Climate Change: Recognizing the Right to a Healthy Environment
- Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats
- Critically endangered animal species in India
-Article by Swathi Satish
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