Tezpur (Assam), Apr 28 (PTI) Four wild buffaloes have been relocated from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park to Kanha Tiger Reserve to revive the presence of the species more than a century after it went extinct from the Madhya Pradesh forest, an official said.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve Field Director Sonali Ghosh described the operation as one of the most extensive ground translocations ever attempted in the country.
“Upon arrival, the animals were placed in specially prepared enclosures to help them gradually adapt to their new environment before being released into the wild,” she added.
The ambitious exercise connected Kaziranga with Kanha, where the species had vanished more than a century ago, Ghosh said.
“The first group — comprising one male and three females — completed a journey of over 2,000 kilometres, reaching their new home after three days on the road, she added.
The current programme envisions relocating around 50 buffaloes over time to build a stable breeding population in Kanha. Officials indicated that additional batches are expected to follow soon, as the programme moves forward.
The groundwork for the project involved detailed ecological assessments by the Wildlife Institute of India, along with the creation of secure capture and holding facilities.
“Trained teams initiated capture operations in March using veterinary-guided tranquilisation methods, ensuring minimal stress to the animals. Throughout the journey, the convoy was closely monitored by wildlife experts, with continuous veterinary care, food and hydration provided to safeguard the animals’ health,” another official said.
Experts believe that the initiative could play a transformative role in restoring grassland ecosystems in central India.
The species, known scientifically as Bubalus arnee, is critical for maintaining ecological balance, particularly through grazing patterns that support habitat diversity.
In a parallel gesture of cooperation, Madhya Pradesh has also proposed support for Assam’s conservation initiatives by offering gharials for potential reintroduction efforts, he added.
“The relocation marks not just the movement of a species, but the beginning of a long-term effort to rebuild ecological connections lost over generations,” the official said. PTI COR TR TR RG
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