The Indian Grey Hornbill — locally called the Chilotro — has successfully re-established itself in Gujarat's Gir forests after an absence of nearly six decades, with a peer-reviewed study now confirming that reintroduced birds have settled, nested, and begun breeding in the wild. The findings mark a landmark outcome for the Gujarat Forest Department's reintroduction programme, launched in 2021.

The study, published in the international journal 'Birds' under the title 'Reintroduction of Indian Grey Hornbills in Gir, India: Insights into Ranging, Habitat Use, Nesting and Behavioural Patterns', provides the first comprehensive scientific assessment of the programme — undertaken with partner institutions — to restore the species after it vanished from Gir in the 1950s and 1960s.

How the Reintroduction Unfolded

The project began when birds were translocated from the Aravalli forests to Gir after scientific assessments confirmed that habitat conditions had again become suitable. A total of 40 hornbills were released in two phases: 28 birds in 2021 and 2022, followed by 12 more in 2023.

To monitor their movements and behaviour, satellite transmitters were fitted to 11 male birds, enabling long-term tracking of ranging patterns, habitat use, and breeding activity. According to the study, one breeding pair successfully nested during the first year after release, while three additional breeding pairs established nests in the second year — a trajectory researchers say confirms the programme has achieved its primary conservation objective.

What the Tracking Data Revealed

Satellite data showed that the released hornbills initially explored large, unfamiliar stretches of the forest before gradually settling into smaller home ranges. In the first few months, the birds used an average area of around 61 sq km, which later contracted to approximately 5.7 sq km after establishment. Their average daily movement also fell from 4.3 km during the exploratory phase to 1.4 km after settlement — clear indicators of successful ecosystem adaptation.

What Officials Said

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia described the outcome as a landmark achievement. 'The Chilotro was reintroduced into the Gir forests in 2021. Five years have now passed since then. The birds have settled into their new habitat and have also started breeding, demonstrating the success of the project. The successful reintroduction of the Chilotro, which disappeared from the Gir forests during the 1950s and 1960s, is a landmark achievement,' he said.

Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment Department Vinod Rao highlighted the species' ecological significance beyond its conservation value. 'The species plays a vital ecological role by dispersing tree seeds over long distances. This behaviour is ecologically significant because it helps in the natural regeneration of forests by dispersing the seeds of fruit-bearing trees,' he said.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Jaipal Singh attributed the species' successful return partly to decades of habitat protection. He noted that improvements following the declaration of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in 1965 and Gir National Park in 1975 had created the favourable conditions necessary for the hornbill's comeback.

Broader Conservation Context

The hornbill milestone comes days after the state Forest Department reported another conservation success — the second Great Indian Bustard chick produced through the 'jump-start' technique surviving beyond the critical 40-day period after hatching. Together, the two developments position Gujarat as an emerging model for species recovery in India.

Mohan Ram, Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Forest Circle, and co-author of the study, confirmed that the translocation source — the Aravalli forests — was selected only after studies validated Gir's habitat suitability. The state government has indicated that the Chilotro reintroduction forms part of a broader national effort to scientifically restore locally extinct species to suitable habitats under monitored conditions.

With breeding now confirmed across four pairs and home ranges stabilising, conservationists will be watching whether the population expands organically in the seasons ahead — the true measure of long-term reintroduction success.