Great Indian Bustard & Tiger Conservation In India

Wildfoot Ambassador and long-term friend, Harsh Vardhan is a pioneering Indian conservationist and wildlife expert. For many years now Harsh has been working tirelessly to further the conservation and protection of two of India’s most majestic yet most threatened species. The Tiger and The Great Indian Bustard. Here Harsh gives us a report on progress to date.

The Great Indian Bustard

For many years WILDFOOT travel has been campaigning passionately to conserve and protect the critically endangered ‘Great Indian Bustard’ (Ardeotis nigricpeps), an impressive and intelligent bird found in the Indian Thar desert. As part of the ongoing process of conservation, we have hosted several lectures at Birdfair in an effort to generate support for this deeply threatened species. As a direct result of those who have supported our efforts to date, we have the following good news to report:

In June-July 2019, all seven Great Indian Bustard eggs recovered in the wild, have hatched successfully in India’s Desert National Park. All the chicks are doing well and strutting proudly around their new home.

Two female Great Indian Bustards, have been fitted with satellite transmitters. They have not mated yet, so no eggs have been produced yet. But watch this space

With less than 100 Great Indian Bustards left in the wild, their revival is an eight-year project. A project which will take time, commitment and money. We urge all our friends and supporters to help in any way they can.

As we prepare 2019 Birdfair, our partners in India are busy collecting Lesser florican eggs (another Bustard species) in the Shonkalia area, with the aim of breeding  them in captivity at Jaipur Zoo.

TIGERS

Thanks and congratulations to our friends and supporters of our Tiger conservation movement. The number of Tigers in India’s National parks has reached 3,000. Thanks to camera-trap devices which have now been in use for four years, the fall in Tiger number has halted.

That means more amazing opportunities for wildlife encounters with Tigers in India’s wilderness. Whilst fifty Tiger Reserves are involved in this project, only a few can boast the best sightings. Ranthambhore, Tadoba, Kanha and Bandhavgarh. It is worth noting that these same four reverse are all recognised as amazing bird habitats with a huge array of impressive birdlife. Satpuda is also worth mentioning as great area so encounter for mammals and birds.

We are proud to have OPTICRON as a committed and caring partner in the conservation of wildlife in India.
Opticom have kindly provided binoculars to National Park Guides in India who cannot afford to purchase themselves. This helps conservation in many ways but particularly with wildlife protection including anti-poaching.

WILDFOOT India experts Manoj and Graham are delighted to welcome anyone one interested in a unique big cat and Birding tour of India – WILDFOOT India Stand, Rutland Birdfair 16,17 & 18 August 2019