In a historic first, baby of highly endangered Great Indian Bustard born by artificial insemination

A baby Great Indian Bustard has hatched in the Indian state of Rajasthan after artificial insemination under the “Bustard Conservation and Rehabilitation Program”. The aim of the program is to save the highly endangered species from becoming extinct.

Bhanjanlal Sharma, the chief minister of Rajasthan, as per news agency ANI, said, "This remarkable success has been achieved at the artificial breeding centre in Jaisalmer under the 'Bustard Conservation and Rehabilitation Program' run with the important objective of preventing the extinction of Rajasthan's state bird Great Indian Bustard and increasing its numbers. This unprecedented achievement will be an important milestone in the direction of Great Indian Bustard conservation.”

The mother bustard chick, named Tony, laid an egg at the breeding centre on September 24, which was under the observation of scientists, and a healthy chick hatched on October 16.

The Rajasthan CM expressed his happiness for the achievement on X and said, "Happy and proud news! A historic achievement has been made in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Significant success has been achieved in the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard species, which is continuously moving towards extinction, where a healthy chick has been born through the new technique of artificial insemination.”

He also saidthat the achievement is a milestone in the conservation efforts of these endangered species.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Diya Kumari, took toInstagram and said:"A major success has been achieved in the efforts to conserve the Great Indian Bustard in Jaisalmer. The use of artificial insemination has resulted in the birth of a healthy chick, a historic step towards increasing the declining population of the Great Indian Bustard and saving it from extinction."

The number of Great Indian Bustards has been reduced dramatically in the last 25 years, with only around 150 birds left. The birth of a healthy baby is a significant milestone that the state has achieved in its prevention efforts. This achievement is a ray of hope to protect and prevent the extinction of these species.

(With inputs from agencies)