When we talk about Wildlife Conservation, the flagship species such as lions, tigers, elephants, polar bears and giant pandas are at the cente of discussion. While conservation efforts focused towards flagship species benefit other important species sharing the same habitat, some species are clearly overlooked as evident by their declining numbers. One such species is the Wild Water Buffalo – (Bubalus arnee)- the mighty animal who featured in Kipling’s The Jungle Book is battling extinction from the very place it once ruled.
About the Wild Water Buffalo
Standing tall ,with its long horns and a height of 150-190 cm, the animal weighing 800 to 1200 kg is the largest land mammal found on the earth after the elephant and rhinoceros. It is the largest horned species of the genus Bos.
Once found in abundance across northeast India, extending to northern and central India, the species now has its last herds in some pockets in northeast and central India. With less than 3000 individuals estimated to be remaining in the wild worldwide, the species is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1986 and is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act India,1972.
Some History
This majestic species was once widely distributed throughout Europe and Southern Asia. When the climate became drier the genus became restricted to the Indian subcontinent, mainland South-east Asia, and some of the South-east Asian islands. The population now thrives only in India, Nepal, Cambodia, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand.
Though the current population is less than 4000, many researchers find it difficult to distinguish between wild and domestic water buffaloes; sometimes hybrid ones are also intermingled. Recently many researchers have studied the in- breeding behavior between wild and domestic species, owing to a decrease in numbers of wild ones and allowing domestic species to graze within protected areas(Choudhury 2010).
A quest to track the wild water buffalo in hilly regions of Central India, was undertaken by conservationists from various NGOS in early 2000, starting from Indravati, the adjacent Kopela- Kolarmarka forests in Maharashtra, Pamed, Udanti- Sitanadi upto adjoining Sunabeda in Orissa.Another quest was taken in 2008, along the same route in search of the last remaining herd of the water buffaloes which was eventually spotted bathing in river Indravati.
Why are the numbers of wild water buffalo ever declining?
The biggest threat to wild water buffalo is the loss of genetic diversity due to intermingling with domestic cattle as well as hunting and animal diseases.
Genetic Factors
Wild Water Buffalo is threatened by introgression from domestic buffaloes in Central India and Nepal. Wild and domestic water buffaloes are closely related species. Researchers and villagers have seen wild male buffaloes mingling with the domestic cattle and eventually mating with them (Flamand et al. 2003). Introgression is likely to take place throughout the range wherever wild and domestic buffalo come into contact. As the wild populations shrink and become fragmented the risk of hybridisation increases exponentially. Small populations are at risk of inbreeding depression which can cause populations to fluctuate or decline (Hendrick and Kalinowski 2000).
Hunting
For many decades globally, these creatures were hunted for their horns. Trophy hunting was also a popular sport in South Asia. In Central India, hunting of wild buffaloes was legal under the Zamindari system till 1971 which caused sharp decline in population of these species. Poaching for meat is prevalent even today. Habitat fragmentation has forced the wild animals to raid crops, eventually posing threat of retaliatory killings.
Diseases
Small populations are susceptible to outbreak of diseases especially where there are interactions with the domestic species.
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Wild Buffaloes require large grazing spaces with adequate food and water supply to survive which is negatively impacted by fragmentation and degradation of forest and grassland areas. Extensive livestock grazing in Chhattisgarh, central India caused depletion of natural resources and have pushed the animal over the brink of extinction.
In 2005, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court of India to take immediate action for conservation of these wild animals. The government was ordered to form a task force to carry out an action plan for close monitoring of these species and preventing cross breeding with domestic animals.
What does the future hold?
Finally, the sharp decline of numbers has created awareness regarding the urgent need of conservation regarding these wild species.The state of Chhattisgarh, India is rapidly losing its state animal to the above mentioned threats. Currently the population remains stable in the state of Assam( Kaziranga NP – 2500, Manas NP- 500) and Arunachal Pradesh ( D’Eing Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary- around 100).
Government of India has launched The Central India Wild Buffalo Recovery Project, in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India. This project aims to stabilize the numbers of wild buffalo in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh. A survey conducted showed less than 50 individuals in three sub-populations in Indravati National Park, Pamed and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh.
An Action Plan to Save the Wild Water Buffalo
An action plan was formulated monitoring of remaining species, habitat restoration, creating water resources within the national park. Some of highlights of the project are:
- A socio-economic survey conducted revealed the villagers depended on agriculture and livestock. The cattle used to be taken inside the protected area for grazing. The forest department of Chattisgarh developed a compensation scheme in case of crop damages.
- Genetic studies are currently being carried out and a lone female buffalo gave birth to 6 males and one female calf. After her death, the in situ breeding program has come to a halt.
- Voluntary relocation of villages was carried out
- More than 3500 of the 5000 cattle in the vicinity of the sanctuary were vaccinated annually to prevent disease transmission.
- About 115 of the 300 domestic buffaloes have been sold by villagers living in the vicinity.
- In 2020, the forest department relocated a pair of buffaloes from Assam to Chhattisgarh after the numbers of these animals failed to rise.
Occasional sightings of wild buffaloes were seen at Indravati tiger reserve and Kamlapur Forest Range, Maharashtra. However very few efforts are made to rigorously track these elusive creatures as they were done in early 2000.
What about other countries?
In Nepal, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has been designated for Wild Asian buffalo; this reserve contains approximately 498 individuals, although there is no precise information on the number of pure-bred wild buffalo. The area is too small for a buffalo herd and wild buffalo which often move out of the reserve come into conflict with local people. The Chitwan National Park has 12 individuals currently.
Conservation efforts such as anti-poaching squads, evacuation of local cattle, creating awareness amongst local communities are taken up by the Government of Nepal to increase the numbers of wild buffalo. In the neighboring countries of Bhutan, Thailand and Cambodia, the population is slowly picking up due to vigorous conservation efforts.The need of the hour is to save this majestic animal from extinction.
The forests of Central India and North east India can harbor a healthy population of wild buffaloes if rigorous conservation efforts are put into action.
Conclusion
Most people are unaware of the threats posed due to genetic degeneration. Any random disease can collapse the population of domestic buffaloes and can lead to collapse of the entire dairy industry in Asia. Hence we must protect and conserve this mighty animal.
Even after fifteen years of initiation of conservative efforts, the numbers of the wild water buffalo are not increasing as they should be and the future appears to be bleak….
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Written by: Dr. Nupur Sawant