Siberian setback

The much publicised multi-nation effort to save the near-extinct Siberian Crane received a setback with the death of one of the pair of first-ever artificially hatched and bred crane chicks. The chicks, named Little and Bugle, had been brought from Russia to the Keoladeo sanctuary in the Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Little died on July 9 following an attack by a bird of another species.

It was hoped that the duo would mix with the flock of Siberian Cranes known to migrate to the sanctuary every winter. The numbers of the migratory birds has been declining every year and the induction of the artificially-born variety was seen as one way to add to it. The sanctuary authorities claim that they are discussing plans to provide better protection to Bugle, which includes confining it to a special enclosure until the Siberian Cranes come back next year.