JODHPUR, March 19 -- A study has revealed that during the 2024-25 migratory season some migratory Demoiselle Cranes, locally known as Kurja, remained in Phalodi district's Khichan village instead of returning northward. According to the study conducted by director of the Wildlife Research and Conservation Centre at Jai Narain Vyas University (JNVU), Jodhpur, Dr Hemsingh Gehlot, and his colleagues, an unusual pattern was documented in which a small number of birds failed to migrate northward and persisted at the site until early summer. Typically, they return to their breeding grounds in March or April. Fourteen cranes were regularly recorded near Ratri Nadi Pond, Vijay Sagar Pond, and the feeding station until May 2025, the study said. Their number declined to two on June 11, and only one Demoiselle Crane remained there until July 12, after which no cranes were observed. During this period, ambient temperatures remained between 45-50 degrees Celsius, resulting in severe water and food scarcity and substantially reducing habitat suitability. The Khichan site has been recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, reflecting its high conservation value. Migrating from Central Asia, Russia, and Mongolia, the cranes arrive in Khichan between September and October to escape severe winters and exploit favourable climatic conditions and abundant food. In June 2025, Khichan was designated as a Ramsar site by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, reinforcing its status as a model for arid-zone wetland conservation in the Thar Desert. Dr. Gehlot said, "The underlying causes of delayed migration remain uncertain but may be associated with injury, physiological stress, or separation from migratory flocks. Implementing GPS transmitter tagging of such birds during the wintering period could facilitate long-term monitoring and generate critical insights into their movements, migratory routes, and conservation requirements. The prolonged summer residency at Khichan Conservation Reserve presents emerging management challenges for wildlife authorities, particularly the forest department." "Such migratory behaviour may indicate underlying ecological stressors, including habitat degradation, climatic extremes, physiological impairment, or disruptions in migratory connectivity. If recurrent, these deviations could compromise population viability and alter established migration phenology. From a conservation governance perspective, this phenomenon calls for the development of adaptive management frameworks that integrate long-term ecological monitoring, climate-resilience planning, and inter-agency coordination," he added....