Assessment of Major Threats for Conservation of Anthropoides virgo in The Thar Desert of Rajasthan (India)

The Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo, Linnaeus 1758) is one of the winter migratory bird in Thar desert of India. The study aims to critically analyze the major threats and post-rehabilitation scenarios faced by the crane. The scan and focal sampling methods were used for the study of crane behavior and their threats. Powerlines are considered to be havoc when contacted take a toll on almost 50% of the crane. A total of 138 birds were injured and post-rescue treatment shows only 32% healthy Individuals and 14% of crane mortality was observed due to dog attacks. Insecticide poisoning due to Monocrotophos is a major threat. Furthermore, change in land-use pattern remains another threat with an increase of IGNP network for agricultural expansion. This species also shows lesser improvement in rehabilitation. Post rescue rehabilitation observes the death of 49% of species and only 16% of the bird can be successfully released back into the wild. With a globally declining trend of the majestic bird due to facing several pressures, in pertinence to their habitat, population, and above-mentioned threats. Thus, there is an urgent need for the hour to conserve this species.