Barmer/Jaisalmer, Aug. 21 -- Born in captivity and raised under human care, three Great Indian Bustard chicks were introduced to a new world when they were just a month old-a world that is their natural home. Inside a Rs.9.25-crore rewilding tunnel at the GIB Breeding Centre in Ramdevra, the chicks are now learning what it takes to survive in the wild, from finding food and water on their own to hiding from predators and responding to unfamiliar sounds and threats. A month into the programme, the chicks, now two months old, are beginning to adapt to the desert-like environment created inside the tunnel. They are learning to search the soil for insects, find water when thirsty and take shelter in shrubs when they sense danger, officials said, adding that the aim is to gradually move them away from dependence on humans and prepare them for life in their native habitat-the open desert of Jaisalmer. When the three chicks entered the rewilding tunnel, they were dependent on human care and prepared food. The training now focuses on building on their natural behaviours they will require once they are released into the wild, officials said. ACF Wildlife Ashok Singh said, "Over the past month, the chicks have gradually started exploring their surroundings and searching for food on their own. They are also adapting to natural sunlight, temperature variations and airflow. All three chicks are healthy and showing good physical development." The tunnel has been designed to recreate the conditions of their natural desert habitat. Natural shrubs, grass and small plants have been planted inside, while shaded areas and natural shelters provide protection from intense heat and sunlight. The chicks are exposed to natural airflow, direct sunlight and changing temperatures so they gradually learn to cope with the conditions they will encounter outside. Officials said that instead of relying entirely on prepared food, they are being encouraged to explore their surroundings and look for insects by scratching and probing the soil. Water has also been placed at two different locations inside the tunnel. The chicks can move to these points and drink whenever they need to, rather than being manually given water. Project Associate Mahesh Gurjar said, "There is a clear change in the behaviour of the three chicks. When a large bird flies over the tunnel or they hear an unfamiliar sound, they move towards the bushes and hide. These behavioural changes indicate that they are gradually developing natural responses to potential threats." The shrubs and vegetation inside the tunnel therefore provide the chicks with places where they can take cover and develop the habit of seeking shelter when they sense danger. For captive-bred GIBs, another important challenge is preventing excessive attachment to humans. The team has therefore adopted measures to minimise direct human interaction. Food and other materials are placed inside through small openings, reducing the need for staff to enter the enclosure. Although the chicks are being encouraged to become independent, they are under continuous observation. Ten CCTV cameras have been installed inside the rewilding tunnel, allowing the team to monitor their movement and behaviour from a control room. A 25-member team comprising wildlife biologists, veterinarians and forest personnel is involved in their care and monitoring. According to the forest department, they will remain in the rewilding setup until they are around four to six months old and have sufficiently adapted to the desert environment. The next stage will be to gradually move them towards release into the open habitat of the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, they said. The release will not mean the end of monitoring. The birds will be strapped with GPS devices so that their movements can be tracked after they return to the wild. Singh said if the experiment proves successful, the approach could provide a model for preparing other captive-bred Great Indian Bustard chicks for release. The programme is a joint initiative of the government of Rajasthan, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation,...