Great Indian Bustard
Conservation Status and Legal Protection
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds and among the most endangered birds in the world, with its last viable wild population confined largely to Rajasthan's Thar Desert region. It has been classified Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2011, reflecting a population collapse from thousands of individuals in the early twentieth century to a small remnant population today.
- Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the highest protection category, covering species facing the highest risk of extinction
- IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered (since 2011)
- Also listed in Appendix I of CITES (highest trade-restriction category) and covered under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
- Estimated wild population: roughly 150–200 individuals, the vast majority in Rajasthan, with small numbers surviving in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
● Tracked since July 10, 2026 · last seen August 16, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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