Revival of Gaur in Sanjay Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Reintroductions/ conservation translocations of animals have increasingly been recognized as a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions. Madhya Pradesh Forest department (MPFD) together with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) initiated the project on Gaur Reintroduction titled "Establishment of Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh" for a period of five years (2023-2028). This initiative is aimed at conserving this threatened species and restoring biodiversity in the landscape. Emphasizing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, this reintroduction program involved collaboration between various stakeholders and institutions aimed at ensuring a scientifically sound and logistically feasible program. An action plan for reintroduction of Gaur in Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve (SDTR) was jointly developed by the MPFD and WII and formed the basis for field capture and translocation under the project. The program was meticulously divided into pre-translocation, translocation and post-translocation phases.