great indian bustard

Points where the species has been recorded. Once widespread, the species is today found mainly in central and western India

In 2011 Birdlife International uplisted this species from Endangered to Critically Endangered, mainly because it has been exirpated from 90% of its former range and calculation suggests the species has declined at a rate equivalent to 82% over 47 years .^{[citation needed]} The population was estimated at perhaps fewer than 250 individuals in 2008.^[1] The main threats are hunting and habitat loss. In the past they were heavily hunted for their meat and for sport. In some places such as Rajasthan, increased irrigation by the Indira Gandhi canal have led to increased agriculture and the altered habitat has led to the disappearance of the species from these regions.^[22] Some populations migrate into Pakistan where hunting pressure is high.^[14] The bird is found in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states of India. Ghatigaon and Karera sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh once held sizeable populations.^[23] Other sanctuaries with the species include Naliya in Kutch,^[24] Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Shivpuri district; Nannaj,^[25] 18 km from Solapur in Maharashtra, Shrigonda taluka in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, near Nagpur and near Warora in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra and Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, 45 km from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.^[26]

At Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary, habitat changes have affected the populations of blackbuck and bustards. In the 1950s the scrub forest was replaced with Eucalyptus plantations. These helped wildlife when the trees were short but after their extensive growth they made the adjoining grassland less favourable for bustards.^[27][28]
A study in 2011 of the mitochondrial DNA (hypervariable control region II and cytochrome b) in 63 samples from 5 Indian states found very low genetic diversity suggesting a historical population reduction. The study suggested a population reduction or near extinction estimated about 20-40,000 years ago.^[29] Attempts to breed them in captivity have failed.