60 years after disappearing from Gir, Indian gray hornbills breed for fourth consecutive year

More than six decades after the Indian 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 announced another milestone in wildlife conservation, with the second Great Bustard chick hatched using the ‘jump start’ technique surviving after a critical 40 days.

The study, Reintroduction of Indian hornbills in Gir, India: Insights into range, habitat use, nesting and behavioral patterns, is the first comprehensive assessment of the reintroduction program undertaken by the Gujarat Forest Department and its conservation partners after the species disappeared from Gir between the 1950s and 1960s.

“Wildlife conservation in Gujarat has entered a new phase, especially in species recovery and conservation of rare and endangered animals. The gray hornbills reintroduced to the Gir landscape in 2021 have successfully established a territory, adapted to their new habitat and produced offspring, representing a significant milestone in the recovery of species that disappeared from the region between 1965 and the survey. The gray hornbill to the Gir forests is a significant a success,” said Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia.

According to Vinod Rao, Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment, “One pair successfully bred in the first year after release, while three other breeding pairs nested in the second year, proving that the recovered population is beginning to establish itself naturally. The Indian hornbill plays a key ecological role as a long-distance seed disperser that helps regenerate forests by carrying the seeds of fruit trees.”

The project involved the release of 40 Indian hornbills in two phases. 28 birds were released between 2021 and 2022 and another 12 in 2023.

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

“The birds were relocated from healthy hornbill populations in the Aravalli forests of Gujarat after an extensive habitat assessment confirmed that Gir now provides suitable ecological conditions,” he added.

“Although the hornbill disappeared from the Gir decades ago, improvements in habitat protection following the declaration of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in 1965 and the Gir National Park in 1975 created favorable conditions for the species’ return. Historical records suggest that the main reason for its disappearance was hunting, rather than habitat degradation,” said Jaipal Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden and ChiefWil.

Satellite tracking showed that the newly released hornbills initially traveled extensively before settling into relatively small home ranges. During the first few months after release, the birds occupied an average home range of almost 61 km2, which later decreased to about 5.7 km2 after familiarization with the landscape. Their average daily movement also dropped from 4.3 km during the exploration phase to 1.4 km after settlement, according to the study.

The researchers found that hornbills preferred Gir’s dry mixed deciduous and teak forests. Birds dispersing outside protected areas often used orchards, bodies of water and areas near human settlements. The study also found that the birds chose mature trees with a large trunk circumference, especially Sterculia urens and Terminalia bellirica, for nesting.

The researchers observed the birds feeding their chicks mainly the fruits of banyan, peepal, karamda and dhraman, supplemented with insects and other invertebrates. The study says the gray hornbill acts as a long-distance seed disperser that helps regenerate forests by transporting seeds over large areas.

“Successful breeding, shrinking home ranges and stable habitat use indicate that the reintroduction program is moving towards establishing a self-sustaining hornbill population,” Mr Singh said.

“The Gir project could serve as an important model for future bird reintroduction programs in India, especially for species that have become locally extinct despite the availability of suitable habitats,” he added.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 14:50 IST