Gir's lost Hornbill takes flight again: Gujarat's reintroduction project records 4 years of successful breeding

Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], July 14 : As the Gujarat Forest Department celebrates a major milestone in the conservation of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB)--with the second chick hatched through the 'jump-start' technique surviving beyond the critical 40-day period--another significant success has emerged from the state's wildlife conservation efforts. This time, it is the successful recovery of the Grey Hornbill population in the Gir forests through a pioneering species reintroduction programme.
According to an official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), more than 60 years after the Indian Grey Hornbill disappeared from Gujarat's Gir forests, a pioneering wildlife reintroduction programme has shown encouraging signs of success, with the birds not only surviving but also breeding in the wild, according to a new scientific study.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has placed renewed emphasis on the recovery of endangered wildlife species by combining scientific conservation, habitat restoration, community participation, and technology-driven monitoring. From cheetah reintroduction to focused conservation programmes for tigers, lions, elephants, vultures, and the Great Indian Bustard, the country's wildlife conservation efforts have gained new momentum, reinforcing India's commitment to safeguarding its rich natural heritage for future generations.
Arjun Modhwadia, Minister for Forests and Environment, Gujarat, said, "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, wildlife conservation in Gujarat has entered a new phase, particularly in species recovery and the protection of rare and endangered wildlife. Grey Hornbills reintroduced into the Gir landscape in 2021 have successfully established territories, adapted to their new habitat, and produced offspring, marking a major milestone in restoring a species that had disappeared from the region between the 1950s and 1960s. The research conducted following the reintroduction of the Grey Hornbill into the Gir forests is a significant success for us."
Pravin Mali, Minister of State for Forests and Environment, added, "The Gujarat model has shown the world how to conserve and protect its natural heritage, and the state takes pride in its achievements in wildlife conservation and the success of its species recovery programmes."
The research paper, titled Reintroduction of Indian Grey Hornbills in Gir, India: Insights into Ranging, Habitat Use, Nesting and Behavioural Patterns, published in the international peer-reviewed journal Birds, presents the first comprehensive assessment of the reintroduction programme led by the Gujarat Forest Department and its conservation partners.
Giving insights about the programme, Vinod Rao, Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment, Gujarat, said, "One pair successfully bred during the first year after release, while three additional breeding pairs nested in the second year, demonstrating that the restored population is beginning to establish itself naturally. The Indian Grey Hornbill plays a crucial ecological role as a long-distance seed disperser, helping regenerate forests by transporting seeds of fruit-bearing trees across large areas."
"The project involved the release of 40 Indian Grey Hornbills in two phases. Twenty-eight birds were released between 2021 and 2022, followed by another 12 birds in 2023. Eleven males were fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to track their movements, habitat use, and breeding behaviour over several years," added Mohan Ram, one of the authors of the study and Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Circle, Junagadh.
"The birds were translocated from healthy hornbill populations in Gujarat's Aravalli forests after extensive habitat assessments confirmed that Gir now provides suitable ecological conditions," Ram further added.
Citing the reason for the hornbill's disappearance, Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, said, "Though the hornbill disappeared from Gir decades ago, improvements in habitat protection following the declaration of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in 1965 and Gir National Park in 1975 created favourable conditions for bringing the species back. Historical records suggest that hunting, rather than habitat degradation, was the primary reason for its disappearance."
Satellite tracking revealed that newly released hornbills initially travelled widely while exploring unfamiliar surroundings before settling into relatively small home ranges. During the first few months after release, the birds occupied an average home range of nearly 61 square kilometres, which later shrank to about 5.7 square kilometres once they became familiar with the landscape.
Similarly, their average daily movement declined from 4.3 kilometres during the exploratory phase to 1.4 kilometres after settlement, indicating successful adaptation to the Gir ecosystem.
The authors say such exploratory behaviour is commonly observed in reintroduced wildlife before individuals establish permanent territories.
The study found that hornbills preferred Gir's dry mixed deciduous and teak forests over other habitat types.
Within the protected area, the birds showed the strongest preference for dry mixed deciduous forests, while those dispersing outside Gir frequently used orchards, water bodies, and even areas close to human settlements.
Researchers also observed that hornbills selected mature trees with large trunk girths for nesting, particularly Sterculia urens and Terminalia bellirica, highlighting the importance of conserving old-growth trees within the landscape.
Researchers observed the birds feeding their chicks mainly on the fruits of banyan, peepal, karamda, and dhraman, supplemented by insects and other invertebrates.
The return of the hornbill is therefore expected to strengthen natural forest regeneration across the Gir landscape.
"The successful breeding, shrinking home ranges, and stable habitat use indicate that the reintroduction programme is progressing towards establishing a self-sustaining hornbill population," said Singh.
"The Gir project could serve as an important model for future bird reintroduction programmes in India, particularly for species that have become locally extinct despite suitable habitat remaining available," he added.