Conservation Breakthrough: Artificial Insemination Revives Great Indian Bustard

The first ever successful hatching of a great Indian bustard chick via artificial insemination in Rajasthan showcases innovative steps towards conserving this endangered bird, amid challenges posed by habitat loss and renewable energy developments.

In a noteworthy milestone for wildlife conservation, experts in India have announced the successful hatching of a great Indian bustard chick through artificial insemination. This breakthrough occurred in Rajasthan, where a lone male bustard was trained to produce sperm at one breeding center in Jaisalmer, which was then used to fertilize an egg from an adult female at a second center located approximately 200 kilometers away.

Once abundant across India, the great Indian bustard has seen its population dwindle drastically due to habitat loss, poaching, and fatal collisions with electrical wires. From over 1,000 individuals in the 1960s, the current population has plummeted to about 150, primarily inhabiting the districts of Jaisalmer, with a few sightings in Karnataka and Gujarat. Conservationists emphasize the importance of protecting these birds' habitats in light of competing interests from renewable energy companies.

Sumit Dookia, a conservation ecologist, highlights the significance of the great Indian bustard, India’s state bird of Rajasthan, noting its ecological role in managing pest populations. However, its unique biology, such as poor frontal vision that raises the risk of power line collisions, and specific breeding habits complicate survival efforts. The bird lays only one egg at a time and dedicates up to two years to nurturing its young, which leaves it vulnerable to predation.

In recent years, the rapid expansion of solar and wind farms in Jaisalmer has exacerbated threats to the bustard population. With habitat fragmentation becoming a pressing issue, serious concerns have arisen regarding increased human activity that attracts stray dogs, further endangering their nests and young.

Recognizing these challenges, the Rajasthan government partnered with the federal authorities and the Wildlife Institute of India to establish dedicated breeding centers, beginning with one in Sam city in 2018 and another in Ramdevra in 2022. Currently, 45 birds reside in these facilities, including 14 captive-bred chicks, with plans to eventually reintroduce them into natural habitats. However, experts warn that human imprinting during breeding poses significant challenges for their rewilding, as they can lose essential survival instincts.

In an alarming finding, researchers noted a significant decrease in migratory behavior among these birds, attributed to the rising danger of flying incidents. The situation is worsened by the Supreme Court's recent ruling, which reversed an interim order that mandated underground power lines in critical bustard habitats, prioritizing the economic concerns of renewable energy firms over ecological needs.

Debadityo Sinha, an ecologist, criticized the judgment for enabling a misunderstanding of the relationship between climate change, biodiversity loss, and development. While some cities in India have seen success with underground power line implementation to protect avian species, the continued threat of habitat loss and the consequent survival of both wildlife and humans remains precarious as Rajasthan becomes a hub for renewable energy initiatives without adequate ecological research.