There is renewed hope for the protection of a critically endangered bird in India, BirdLife International revealed in a recent press release. Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), a small ground-dwelling wading bird in India, was thought to have been extinct since the early 20th century. But in 1986, the bird was rediscovered in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The rediscovery lead to the establishment of the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary to protect the critically endangered bird. Also, the construction of a nearby cannal (the Telugu-Ganga canal) was halted to avoid further destruction of the bird's habitat.

Unfortunately, unauthorized work on the canal was restared in October 2005, destroying critical habitat for the Jerdon's Courser. The work has now been stopped once again. Plans to re-route the canal are to be announced on February 14, and are expected to avoid any overlap with the bird's habitat.

Find out more: Canal Decision Brings Hope for India's Rarest Bird (BirdLife International)

Photo © Simon Cook / BirdLife International.