Cheer Pheasant population rises to 100% survival in Himachal Pradesh
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In Himachal Pradesh, India, conservationists increased the survival rate of released Cheer Pheasants, locally known as Chir Tittar, from 11.11 percent in 2019-20 to 100 percent in 2024-25.
The Cheer Pheasant, classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has suffered from habitat loss due to grassland destruction from increasing fires.
The Khadiyun Cheer Pheasant Breeding Centre in Solan district has been central to the effort, using a “soft-release” method where birds are reintroduced to forests near Koti in Shimla district. Wildlife officials monitor released birds using VHF transmitters, costing around Rs 40,000 each, and camera traps to track their adaptation to the wild. They prioritize natural incubation by parents, believing these birds have a higher chance of survival.
The breeding centre, maintained by the Himachal Pradesh Zoo Conservation and Breeding Society, currently houses 58 adult Cheer Pheasants. The project aims to restore the species to its natural habitat, with 77 birds released from captivity so far. The improved survival rate suggests success in the conservation effort, as the global Cheer Pheasant population had dwindled to fewer than 2,700 birds. The department designated 2025-26 for population consolidation after the releases.
