Introduction
Conservation authorities in Bangladesh say they’re still on track to fully release peafowl back into the wild, under a program that began with a “soft” release of the birds last year. But experts warn against rushing the release, noting that because the species has long been extinct in the wild in Bangladesh, habituating captive-raised birds to life in the forest won’t be easy.
The Conservation Program
The Bangladesh Forest Department, with the support of nongovernmental organization Creative Conservation Alliance, in May 2025 moved 20 captive-raised common Indian peafowls (Pavo cristatus) into a forest enclosure within Madhupur National Park, which falls under the jurisdiction of the forest department’s Tangail division. Since then, the five males and 15 females have produced a dozen eggs, with one wild-born chick successfully hatching, according to Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, an officer with the Tangail Forest Division.
“Now the chick is 6 months old. This year, we are expecting more from the group,” he said. “Our plan is to release only the chicks in the wild as they are growing up in a natural condition and making themselves adaptive for the wild.” Hossain said the 20 birds initially moved into the enclosure will not be part of that full release into the wild since they grew up in captivity. Instead, they will serve as parent stock.
The Peafowl’s History in Bangladesh
According to a 2024 study, peafowls are a common wild bird across South Asia. However, due to habitat loss and hunting, the peafowl population in Bangladesh declined significantly, leading to the extinction of the species in the wild in the country.
Challenges and Prospects
Releasing captive-raised peafowl into the wild is a complex challenge. In addition to adapting to life in the forest, the birds also need to learn to protect themselves from predators and find food. However, with a careful plan and a gradual approach, it is possible to reintroduce the species into the wild and restore the peafowl population in Bangladesh.
Source / Reference: Mongabay