Habitat suitability of wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Babai flood plain of Bardia National Park, Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundWild water buffalo is an endangered species presently distributed in some countries of South and Southeast Asia with Nepal’s only population in the flood plain of the Koshi river at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR). Some of the individuals have been translocated to Chitwan National Park of central Nepal but the survival rate is not satisfactory. MethodsThis study was conducted in Babai flood plain of Bardia National Park (BNP) to identify a suitable habitat for wild water buffalo based on habitat parameters of KTWR. The study employed both the geospatial and vegetation analysis method. ResultsThe study found that Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spontaneum, Cynodon dactylon were the three dominant grass species with important value index (IVI) of 74.15, 60.45, and 11.85 respectively in the Babai flood plain. Similarly, the dominant tree species in the Babai flood plain was Bombax ceiba with the IVI value of 127.81 followed by Shorea robusta, Termenalia tomentosa, Largestroemia parviflora, and Adina cardifolia with the IVI of 48.38, 21.04, 13.03 and 9.19 respectively. Out of the total 108.67 km2 of the entire study area of Babai flood plain, 8.26 km2 was found to be suitable, 100.12 km2 area moderately suitable, and 0.29 km2 area as less suitable. ConclusionsBabai flood plain of BNP is moderately suitable habitat for wild water buffalo. Grassland and wetland management and study of other parameters such as climate and prey-predator relationship is recommended before making the decision to translocate wild water buffaloes to the Babai flood plain of BNP.