BARMER, June 17 -- Jaisalmer has one more reason to cheer as the population of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is not only increasing at the breeding centre, but also in the wild, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. During the annual wildlife census conducted using the traditional waterhole method, 73 GIBs - locally known as Godawan - were sighted across various parts of the Jaisalmer district. This marks a significant milestone in efforts to conserve Rajasthan's state bird, which remains on the brink of extinction, they added. The survey began at midnight on June 11 and continued for 24 hours. The waterhole method involves round-the-clock monitoring of natural and artificial water sources where animals frequently gather, offering an ideal opportunity for observation and counting, officials said. Brij Mohan Gupta, the district forest officer of the Desert National Park (DNP), confirmed the sightings and expressed optimism about the bird's increasing presence in its natural habitat. The sighting of 73 GIBs has generated excitement among conservationists. Wildlife expert and environmentalist Sumer Singh Bhati noted that the rise in wild sightings - along with the success of the breeding programme - offers hope for the long-term survival of the species in the Thar desert ecosystem. In addition to the GIB count, this year's census revealed a 20% increase in the overall wild animal population across the six ranges of the Jaisalmer Forest Division. "A total of 2,592 wild animals were spotted," said deputy conservator of forests Kumar Shubham. The census was conducted across six ranges - Pokaran, Chhayan, Sam, Lathi, Dabla, and Jaisalmer headquarters - with around 55 forest personnel monitoring 24 water points continuously for 24 hours. The results were described as highly encouraging, supported by favourable weather conditions that allowed for clear visibility and high wildlife activity. Among the animals counted were 933 chinkaras, 106 cranes (Sarus), 22 foxes, along with hares, jungle cats, and other species. In comparison, the 2024 census recorded 64 GIBs, while 42 were spotted in 2022. The 2023 census could not be conducted due to unexpected rainfall from a western disturbance, which disrupted the usual animal movements and visibility necessary for the survey, officials said. The 2024 census recorded more than 1,000 chinkaras, 30 desert cats, 150 foxes, and over 100 vultures - a notable reflection of improving ecological health in the region. The census was conducted on June 11, which coincided with the Vaishakh Purnima or full moon day. According to experts, the day was selected for the census as it typically falls during peak summer, when temperatures in Rajasthan soar above 45degC. The intense heat forces wildlife to visit waterholes at least once every 24 hours, increasing the chances of sightings. Additionally, the full moon provides natural light throughout the night, enabling easier observation without artificial lighting - making it the most effective time for wildlife monitoring across India, they added. The GIB is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and Schedule I of the Convention on Migratory Species - providing it the highest level of legal protection. The government has been working for years to conserve the GIB. In 2019, a breeding centre was established in Sam, Jaisalmer, as part of a joint initiative by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, the Rajasthan forest department, and the Wildlife Institute of India. The centre is now showing measurable success in reviving the population of this critically endangered species. Currently, the Ramdevra Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer houses 29 birds, the Sam Centre has 24, and nine birds have recently been transferred to the newly established facility in Arwar, Ajmer. To be sure, in 2022, the Jaisalmer breeding centre collected 30 eggs, of which 24 chicks were successfully hatched. Since its inception in June 2019, the Bustard Recovery Programme has successfully reared 62 birds in total from eggs collected from the wild and through captive breeding efforts. As the Ramdevra Centre is near the border and due to the tense situation in the region, the forest department relocated nine chicks on May 9 to the Arwar breeding centre....