Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal: status, population and conservation importance

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Published: Nov 26, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2990.3294-301

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T.B. Khatri
D.N. Shah
N. Mishra

Abstract

The Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee is an endangered species restricted to South and Southeast Asia. Nepal’s only population survives in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve which is located on the floodplain of the Koshi River, a tributary of Ganga. This species is under threat due to high anthropogenic pressure ranging from habitat deterioration to hybridization with domestic buffalo. Yet, the population has grown from 63 in 1976 to 219 in 2009, despite the decline in the calf/cow ratio. The present study conducted in 2009 used the block count method. The count showed the presence of a backcrossed population of 74 in addition to the total of 219 individuals. At present, a number of conservation and livelihood interventions have been undertaken to safeguard the biodiversity, particularly the wild buffalo population in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The community-based sustainable management approach benefiting both conservation and livelihood of local people is necessary to ensure the long term conservation of the species

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 4 No. 14 (2012)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

T.B. Khatri

Top Bahadur Khatri’s research interests are in resource management, park-people interface, community stewardship and wetland conservation in Asia. He has been implementing various integrated conservation and development projects in and around the protected areas of Nepal for over two decades.

D.N. Shah

Deep Narayan Shah’s research interests are in biodiversity, community ecology, biogeography, population genetics and conservation biology. In particular, he focuses on the influence of global climate and human land-use change on animal population and communities. He has been conducting research in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region and is associated with several national and international scientific organizations.

N. Mishra

Nilamber Mishra’s research interests are in the ecology and conservation of the large mammals of South Asia. He has been working as Conservation Officer (Warden) in the protected areas of Nepal for over two decades.