Barmer/Jaisalmer, Oct. 5 -- For the first time, captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) have taken flight into the wild, with two seven-month-old males released at the Sudasari range of the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer on Sunday, marking a major shift from captive breeding to rewilding efforts for the critically endangered species. The historic release took place in presence of Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan minister of state for forests Sanjay Sharma. The two male GIBs were brought to release site with their eyes covered. As the blindfolds were removed, the birds initially appeared startled before taking flight into the open desert landscape. The birds are around one foot tall and weigh approximately five kilograms each. They were bred at captive-breeding centre at Ramdevra and underwent an intensive three-month rewilding programme before being released into the wild. A senior official said as part of the rewilding process, 10 Great Indian Bustards were housed in a Rs.9.25-crore rewilding tunnel for three months. The birds were trained to fly in open spaces, forage for food independently and adapt to natural surroundings. Following health and behavioural assessments, the two birds selected for release were found to be healthy and capable of surviving independently in the wild. The two GIBs were hatched from eggs collected from the wild in February 2026. After hatching at the breeding centre, they were moved to the rewilding facility, where they underwent training to develop essential survival skills before being released into their natural habitat, he said. To ensure close monitoring after the release, both birds have been fitted with GPS tags. Scientists will use the tracking data to study their movement patterns, flight behaviour, feeding habits, habitat use and overall adaptation to the natural environment. The monitoring will also help identify potential threats, including high-tension power lines and poaching. Data collected from the birds will provide important scientific inputs for future releases of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild. The release marks the culmination of nearly a decade of scientific conservation efforts by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Department. The Integrated Great Indian Bustard Conservation Project was initiated in 2016. A large-scale captive-breeding programme was subsequently launched in Rajasthan in 2019, beginning with a temporary breeding centre at Sam in Jaisalmer. A modern captive-breeding centre was later established at Ramdevra. In March 2023, the centre recorded the birth of its first captive-bred Great Indian Bustard chick. The rewilding programme was subsequently developed to prepare captive-bred birds for eventual release into their natural habitat. The first release of two captive-bred GIBs now marks a major transition from captive breeding to active rewilding and habitat restoration. Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav described the release as a historic achievement in the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard. "Under a historic step, two male Great Indian Bustards were released into their natural habitat this morning in the Sam area of the Desert National Park," Yadav said. He credited the achievement to the nearly decade-long dedication of scientists, researchers and ground staff, who have worked continuously to help the Great Indian Bustard once again thrive in Rajasthan's deserts. Yadav also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued guidance, encouragement and support for conservation efforts. The first-ever release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild is being seen as a significant milestone in the recovery programme for the critically endangered species and a major step towards ensuring that the iconic bird continues to thrive in the Thar desert. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the return of Rajasthan's state bird, the GIB, to the open skies and natural habitat of the Desert National Park was a deeply satisfying and personally proud moment. In a social media post, Gehlot recalled that his government had launched the 'Project Great Indian Bustard' in 2013 to protect the critically endangered species. He said the country's first GIB captive breeding centre was established at Sam in Jaisalmer in 2019 during the Congress government. Gehlot said 94 GIBs are currently being protected at the centre and the soft release of two birds into their natural habitat marks a significant milestone in conservation efforts....