Gir Forest Sees Successful Return of Grey Hornbill After 60 Years

Gir Forest Sees Successful Return of Grey Hornbill After 60 Years, Marks Four Years of Breeding Success

The Gir forests in Gujarat have achieved a major conservation success with the return of the Indian Grey Hornbill, a bird that vanished from the region more than 60 years ago. After being reintroduced in 2021, the hornbills have adapted well to their new surroundings, established territories and bred successfully in the wild over the past four years. The milestone marks an important step in restoring a species that was once locally extinct and highlights the state's continued efforts towards wildlife conservation.

Four Years of Successful Breeding Signals Conservation Success

As part of the programme, the Gujarat Forest Department released 40 Indian Grey Hornbills into the Gir landscape in phases between 2021 and 2023, with satellite tracking used to monitor their movement, habitat use and breeding behaviour.
Researchers found that the birds gradually settled into stable territories and successfully nested, indicating that the reintroduced population is beginning to establish itself in the wild.
Officials said the return of the Grey Hornbill will also benefit the Gir ecosystem, as the bird helps spread seeds of fruit-bearing trees and supports natural forest growth.

The success of the project, published in the peer-reviewed journal Birds, could pave the way for similar bird reintroduction programmes across India.