Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Population and Demography of Asian Wild Buffalo (Bubalus Arnee Kerr, 1792) at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal
by R C. Kandel, G. S. Solanki, M. K. Chalise, B. K. Sharma

Abstract:
Asian wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee, Kerr, 1792) is a globally endangered and the protected species in Nepal. Population size and demographic structure of this species was studied in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR). Most suitable swampy habitats in KTWR maintain pure breed of Asian wild buffalo. The population census of this species was carried out during March to April, 2016 using direct count method. The total population was 433 including 180 adult female, 114 adult male, 26 sub-adult male, 20 sub-adult female, 27 two-year calves, and 66 one-year calves. Male to female ratio was 0.63, and calf to cow ratio was 0.37. Population?s exponential growth (ri) was highest (0.097) in year 2010 and it was negative in 2009. However, the population is still not considered viable and secure in this habitat due to floods in the Koshi River, risk of disease transmission from domestic buffaloes, genetic degradation due to feral buffaloes and cattle, tough competition for food and space. However the total population size (433) and effective population size (294) is convincing for its sustenance and percentage rate of loss of variation (0.17) in 2016 indicated optimistic trend for viable population. Reintroduction of species into Chitwan National Park of central Nepal has been successfully taken up during February of 2017 as a part of species conservation, and planned to establish an effective population size in the new habitat.

Keywords: asian buffalo, effective population, koshi tappu wildlife reserve, protected species, reintroduction

Download full paper