With reference to the recent reintroduction of the Indian Grey Hornbill in Gir, consider the following statements: 1. The species had been locally extinct in Gir since the 1950s-60s, despite the area gaining National Park status in 1975. 2. A total of 40 birds were released in two phases between 2021 and 2023. 3. The reintroduced population was monitored using satellite telemetry fitted on female birds, since females alone determine nesting site selection. 4. Four consecutive years of successful breeding have been recorded, with four breeding pairs established. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Environment · 15 Jul 2026

Indian Grey Hornbill Gir reintroduction

With reference to the recent reintroduction of the Indian Grey Hornbill in Gir, consider the following statements:

The species had been locally extinct in Gir since the 1950s-60s, despite the area gaining National Park status in
2. A total of 40 birds were released in two phases between 2021 and
3. The reintroduced population was monitored using satellite telemetry fitted on female birds, since females alone determine nesting site selection.
Four consecutive years of successful breeding have been recorded, with four breeding pairs established.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

AOnly one

BOnly two

COnly three

DAll four

This question is based on: Gir's grey hornbills didn't come back because of the release. They came back because nobody watched them for four years.

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About this question

Why in news

A peer-reviewed study in the journal Birds confirmed four consecutive years of successful breeding by reintroduced Indian Grey Hornbills in Gir, a rare scientifically documented rewilding success announced alongside a Great Indian Bustard "jump-start" milestone.

Why for UPSC

UPSC's "how many correct" format rewards precise recall of numeric and methodological details; the male-versus-female tracking distractor tests whether aspirants read source details carefully rather than assuming plausible-sounding conservation methodology.

Prelims summary

40 Indian Grey Hornbills were released in Gir in two phases (2021-23) after a 1950s-60s local extinction; 11 released males were tracked via satellite telemetry, confirming four consecutive breeding seasons and four established pairs.

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