New Delhi, June 15 -- The conservation breeding programme for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) has recorded another milestone with the addition of three new chicks, taking the captive population under Project GIB to 94 birds, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced.

The three chicks hatched over the past few days from one wild-collected egg and two captive-laid eggs. With these additions, the fourth year of the captive breeding programme has so far produced 26 chicks, raising hopes for the long-term recovery of one of India's most threatened bird species.

According to the Minister, the 26 chicks hatched this season include 18 produced through artificial insemination, four t...