Indian Grey Hornbills breed successfully in Gir for fourth year after 60-year absence

More than six decades after the Indian Grey Hornbill disappeared from Gujarat's Gir forests, the species has recorded four consecutive years of successful breeding following its reintroduction, according to a scientific study published in the international peer-reviewed journal Birds.

The findings come as Gujarat recently reported another wildlife conservation milestone, with the second Great Indian Bustard chick hatched through the 'jump-start' technique surviving beyond the critical 40-day period.

The study, titled 'Reintroduction of Indian Grey Hornbills in Gir, India: Insights into Ranging, Habitat Use, Nesting and Behavioural Patterns,' presents the first comprehensive assessment of the reintroduction programme undertaken by the Gujarat Forest Department and its conservation partners after the species disappeared from Gir between the 1950s and 1960s.

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said, '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.'

According to Vinod Rao, Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment, '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 in 2023.

'Eleven males were fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to track their movements, habitat use, and breeding behaviour over several years,' said Mohan Ram, Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Circle, and one of the authors of the study.

'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,' he added.

'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,' said Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden.

Satellite tracking showed that newly released hornbills initially travelled widely before settling into relatively small home ranges. During the first few months after release, the birds occupied an average home range of nearly 61 sq. km, which later reduced to about 5.7 sq. km after they became familiar with the landscape. Their average daily movement also declined from 4.3 km during the exploratory phase to 1.4 km after settlement, according to the study.

The researchers found that the hornbills preferred Gir's dry mixed deciduous and teak forests. Birds dispersing outside the protected area frequently used orchards, water bodies, and areas close to human settlements. The study also found that the birds selected mature trees with large trunk girths for nesting, particularly Sterculia urens and Terminalia bellirica.

Researchers observed the birds feeding their chicks mainly on the fruits of banyan, peepal, karamda, and dhraman, supplemented by insects and other small prey. The successful breeding over four consecutive years indicates that the reintroduced population is adapting well and contributing to the restoration of the species in the region.