Published: 22 October 2025Rajasthan
Lesser Florican Population Drops to 150-200; Captive Breeding Centre in Ajmer
According to a study by the Wildlife Institute of India, the global population of the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), a Critically Endangered bustard species, has declined to just 150-200 individuals — an 80% decline from 4,374 individuals recorded in 1982. Only 19 males were sighted during the 2025 breeding season in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
A captive breeding centre has been established in Ajmer, Rajasthan, currently housing 10 birds. The Lesser Florican is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and historically found in grasslands of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and wind turbine installations in grasslands are major threats.
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The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), whose population has declined to 150-200 individuals, has a captive breeding centre established in which city of Rajasthan?
Explanation · Correct answer CA captive breeding centre for the Lesser Florican has been established in Ajmer, Rajasthan, currently housing 10 birds. The Lesser Florican is a Critically Endangered bustard species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, with an 80% population decline from 4,374 individuals in 1982.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current population status of Lesser Florican and where is the breeding centre?
The **Lesser Florican** population has declined to a critical **150-200 individuals** in India. A **captive breeding centre** has been established in **Ajmer, Rajasthan** to save the species from extinction through ex-situ conservation.
What is the IUCN status of Lesser Florican?
The **Lesser Florican** (Sypheotides indicus) is classified as **'Endangered'** on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated wild population of only 150-200 birds in India, making it one of the most threatened bustard species in the world.
Why is Rajasthan important for Lesser Florican conservation?
**Rajasthan** — particularly the Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary and grass areas of Barmer and Jodhpur districts — is the **primary breeding habitat** of the Lesser Florican in India. The Ajmer captive breeding centre was set up to supplement wild conservation efforts.
What are the major threats to Lesser Florican survival?
Major threats to **Lesser Florican** include **grassland conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, use of pesticides** killing insect food sources, collisions with power lines, and hunting. Monsoon timing mismatches with breeding cycles have also impacted reproductive success.
What is the goal of the captive breeding program for Lesser Florican in Ajmer?
The **captive breeding program in Ajmer** aims to breed Lesser Floricans in a controlled environment, raise chicks to improve survival rates, and eventually **reintroduce captive-bred birds** into protected wild habitats to boost the depleted wild population.
