Indian Bison

Indian Bison Latest News

Recently, the Indian bison population in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has recorded a robust jump of 189 individuals within a year, taking the total head count to 848.

About Indian Bison

• It is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae.
• Distribution:  These are indigenous to the South and Southeast parts of Asia.
• Habitat: Gaurs are primarily found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
• They prefer hilly-terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
• Conservation Status of Indian Bison
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I 
• Ecological Significance: It plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in forests besides serving as important prey species for tigers.
• They also help shape vegetation dynamics and contribute to seed dispersal.
• Threats: Loss of habitat throughout most of their range. Another serious concern is susceptibility to domestic cattle diseases like rinderpest, hoof, or mouth disease.

Key Facts about Debrigarh wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
• It is located near Hirakud Dam (the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world) on the Mahanadi River.
• Vegetation: Most of the plant sanctuary is covered with mixed and dry deciduous forest.
• Flora: Major trees found here are Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura, etc..
• Fauna: Indian leopards, sloth bears, chousingha (four-horned antelope), sambar deer, gaurs (Indian bison).

Source: NIE

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