Project GIB Adds Three Chicks, Taking Captive Stock to 94 Birds: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav

📌 Summary:

• Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) added three more chicks, taking total chicks hatched in the fourth year of captive breeding to 26 and the captive stock to 94 birds (Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav)
• The three new chicks came from one wild-collected egg and two captive-laid eggs
• Of the 26 chicks hatched so far: 18 via artificial insemination, 4 via natural breeding and 4 from wild-collected eggs
• In exchange for the wild eggs, three chicks hatched in the wild in Rajasthan through a "jumpstart intervention" to improve founder genetic diversity and mitigate predation risk

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment — species conservation, captive breeding and protection of a critically endangered species.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) — IUCN Critically Endangered; state bird of Rajasthan
• Conservation breeding centres located in Rajasthan (Jaisalmer region)
• Techniques used: artificial insemination and jumpstart intervention
• Major threat: collision with overhead power transmission lines

🔑 Key Term: Jumpstart intervention — releasing/placing managed eggs or chicks into the wild to boost the wild population and genetic diversity.