Rajkot: Red Jungle Fowl, which is almost extinct in the forests of Gujarat, will be re-introduced. Subjected to human gluttony, both in terms of its narrow habitat and rampant poaching, the bird species nearly disappeared from the state.
However, thanks to a successful conservation program by the Sakkarbagh Zoo in Junagadh, 100 chicks of the birds have been successfully kept in captive breeding, which are proposed to be released once again into their natural habitat.
According to the Forest Department, six pairs of Red Jungle Fowl were kept for captive breeding in 2020-21. This resulted in production of F-1 generation of 50 chicks in 2021-22. In the last two years, the bird population Rose Up to 100 chicks from the program envisaged in 2017 and finally delivered in 2020-21.
renewable Joshi Deputy Conservator of Forests, Sakkarbagh Zoo said, “We have provided the birds with a friendly environment and proper food for natural breeding. We also introduced artificial insemination at Sakkarbagh Zoo, which resulted in a high breeding success rate.”
Joshi further said that in order to save the dwindling population of red jungle fowl in Gujarat, the government has decided to start a program to reintroduce this bird to the wild.
The zoo gave around 25 birds to Banaskantha forest officials for releasing them in the forest where they had seen them in the past. A report has also been sought on successful breeding of birds in nature after release.
“Poaching is the main reason for the extinction of the bird,” said Prasad Gunpule, an ornithologist. He said that while it is seen in some parts of North India, it is rarely seen in Gujarat. “Because of their habit of living on land, they have become prey to predators. The second reason is the loss of habitat due to increase in human population and reducing forest areas,” he said.
However, there is no official census record of the bird or a precise description of its distribution area. Therefore, ornithologists are concerned about the reintroduction of this bird into the wild and its welfare. But considering the special efforts being made by the Forest Department, positive results are also expected.
However, thanks to a successful conservation program by the Sakkarbagh Zoo in Junagadh, 100 chicks of the birds have been successfully kept in captive breeding, which are proposed to be released once again into their natural habitat.
According to the Forest Department, six pairs of Red Jungle Fowl were kept for captive breeding in 2020-21. This resulted in production of F-1 generation of 50 chicks in 2021-22. In the last two years, the bird population Rose Up to 100 chicks from the program envisaged in 2017 and finally delivered in 2020-21.
renewable Joshi Deputy Conservator of Forests, Sakkarbagh Zoo said, “We have provided the birds with a friendly environment and proper food for natural breeding. We also introduced artificial insemination at Sakkarbagh Zoo, which resulted in a high breeding success rate.”
Joshi further said that in order to save the dwindling population of red jungle fowl in Gujarat, the government has decided to start a program to reintroduce this bird to the wild.
The zoo gave around 25 birds to Banaskantha forest officials for releasing them in the forest where they had seen them in the past. A report has also been sought on successful breeding of birds in nature after release.
“Poaching is the main reason for the extinction of the bird,” said Prasad Gunpule, an ornithologist. He said that while it is seen in some parts of North India, it is rarely seen in Gujarat. “Because of their habit of living on land, they have become prey to predators. The second reason is the loss of habitat due to increase in human population and reducing forest areas,” he said.
However, there is no official census record of the bird or a precise description of its distribution area. Therefore, ornithologists are concerned about the reintroduction of this bird into the wild and its welfare. But considering the special efforts being made by the Forest Department, positive results are also expected.