Wild buffaloes reintroduced in MP after century

Why in News?

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released eight wild buffaloes, brought from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, into a 17-hectare enclosure at Kanha Tiger Reserve on 11 October 2026. The initiative aims to reintroduce wild buffaloes into Madhya Pradesh after their disappearance from the state’s forests nearly a century ago.

About the Reintroduction Project

The eight wild buffaloes comprise six females and two males. They were shifted from a smaller, one-hectare enclosure in the Supkhar range to a larger enclosure after completing their quarantine period.

The animals were transported to Kanha in two phases, on 28 April and 9 May 2026. They were initially kept in the smaller enclosure to help them adapt to the local climate and environment.

The Forest Department selected Supkhar for the reintroduction project based on evidence of the species’ historical presence in the area. Madhya Pradesh aims to reintroduce 50 wild buffaloes over the next three years.

About the Wild Buffalo

The wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee), also known as the Asiatic wild water buffalo, is an endangered wild bovine species. It inhabits wetlands, grasslands and forested areas near water bodies.

• Distribution in India: Wild populations are primarily found in Assam and Chhattisgarh. Occasional sightings have also been reported from Meghalaya and Maharashtra.
• Important habitat: Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a major stronghold of the species.
• Ecological significance: Wild buffaloes contribute to grassland and wetland ecosystems and form part of the prey base for large carnivores, including tigers.
• Conservation concern: Habitat loss, fragmentation and interbreeding with domestic buffaloes pose significant threats to wild populations.

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