Why world's largest flying bird is on verge of extinction in India

The world's largest flying bird is likely to be the first in the sub-continent to slide into extinction in the 21st century. Ironically, the biggest threat to its survival comes from renewable energy

On December 29, 2017, in a dry, desert near India’s western frontier, forest officials found the dismembered carcass of a large brown-and-white bird.

They quickly recognised it as one of the world’s largest flying birds, one of its most endangered species, and the bird most likely to be the first in the subcontinent to slide into extinction in 21st century.

With its distinctive bare, powerful legs, the dead great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) —no more than 150 are believed to be alive worldwide, meaning in India and Pakistan—was found electrocuted the previous evening in the village of Khetloi near Rajasthan’s