Barmer/Jaisalmer, Oct. 24 -- The Rajasthan forest department plans to destroy desert fox dens in the Desert National Park to protect captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) released into the wild on October 14, triggering a debate over the conservation of the critically endangered bird and the preservation of the Thar Desert's natural ecosystem. One of the bustards released was reportedly killed by a fox on October 14 when it approached a waterhole. A fox den was subsequently found about 100 metres from the site of the killing. Assistant Conservator of Forests Ashok Singh said the GIB was killed by a fox and that the department had decided to put further releases on hold for safety reasons. "We first plan to destroy the fox dens in the area before deciding to release more GIBs," he said. The release initiative in Jaisalmer, launched by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, is part of a national project to repopulate the dry grasslands of western India with the bustards, which once roamed the region in thousands. The proposal to remove fox dens has sparked a conservation debate over the need to protect the endangered bird without disturbing the habitat of desert foxes, which are an integral part of the Thar Desert ecosystem. Sumit Daukia said young Great Indian Bustards normally spend an extended period with their mothers, learning to cope with natural challenges and avoid predators. Captive-bred birds may lack these experiences, leaving them more vulnerable after release, he said. Experts said the department needs to assess whether the birds are adequately trained to find food, adapt to their surroundings and defend themselves before proceeding with further releases. Desert foxes are native to the Thar Desert and are found in significant numbers in the Desert National Park and surrounding areas. Wildlife enthusiast Sumer Singh Bhati pointed out that the park is a vast open landscape, not an enclosed reserve, and that foxes form a natural part of its ecological balance. The proposed action against their dens has therefore raised concerns about protecting the critically endangered bustard without disrupting another species' habitat. Spread across approximately 3,162 square kilometres, the Desert National Park has fencing in some areas for protection. The incident has highlighted the broader challenges of reintroducing captive-bred birds into the wild. Experts have also flagged the uncontrolled presence of stray dogs as a serious threat. Ground-nesting bustards, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to dog attacks, which some consider an even greater risk than foxes in certain areas, Bhati said. Wildlife experts recommend adequate pre-release training, regular monitoring of sensitive locations, camera traps to identify threats, and studies of the behaviour of bustards surviving in the wild to improve rearing and release strategies. Deputy Conservator of Forests for Desert National Park Chandrapal Singh Chauhan said predation is a natural part of the food chain and that Great Indian Bustards face threats from foxes and dogs in the wild....