International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Food and Feeding habits of Indian Bison, Bos Gaurus (Smith, 1827) in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Balasore, Odisha, India and its Conservation

Author Affiliations

  • 1PG department of Zoology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-751004, Odisha, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (5), Pages 73-79, May,10 (2015)

Abstract

TheIndian Bison (IB), Bos gaurus is one of the large wild ungulates of Asian jungles. It is a dominant herbivore and considered as a parental stock for domestic cattle. In India, Indian Bison (IB) is seen in central, southwestern and northeastern regions. We studied it's activity pattern, food plants species and feeding habits of IB during 2008-2012 using Focal Animal Sampling Method and Fecal analysis. Activity pattern of IB shows a bimodal diurnal activity pattern in feeding with peaks in the morning and evening hours The Indian Bison in Kuldhia wildlife sanctuary (KWS) was observed to feed on diverse species of food plants comprising of 47 species of plants belonging to 17 families. The food plants of IB were represented by 18 species of grasses, 6 species of herbs, 8 species of shrubs and 15 species of trees. The food plants from the families of Poaceae and Fabaceae constitute nearly 50% forming the major food plant species of IB in KWS. The Indian Bison in KWS was a generalist feeder resorting to both grazing and browsing. The IB in KWS fed on leaves, young shoots, flowers and fruits showing high preference for leaves. The diet composition varied according to season and food availability. Reduction of anthropogenic pressure, protection of food plants species and restoration of suitable habitats are significant measures suggested for conservation of Indian Bison in KWS.

References

  1. Corbet G.B. and J.E. Hill, The mammals of the Indomalayan Region: a systematic Review, Oxford University Press, Oxford, (1992)
  2. Choudhury A., Distribution and conservation of Gaur Bos gaurus) in the Indian Subcontinent, Mammal Review, 32, 199-226 (2002)
  3. Duckworth J.W., Steinmetz R., Timmins R.J., Pattanavibool A., Zaw T., Tuoc D. and Hedges S., Bos gaurus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1.www.iucnredlist.org, (2008)
  4. Arrendran G., A study on vegetation ecology in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh with reference to gaur Bos gaurus) using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques, Ph.D., Thesis, Saurashtra University, Gujarat, (2000)
  5. Rodger W.A., The wild grazing ungulates of India .An ecological review, 404-420, In Rangeland Resources and Management Proceedings of National Rangeland Symposium IGFRI Jhansi, Nov 9-12, (1987)
  6. Kittur S, Habitat analysis of Gaur in Bhagvan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary using remote sensing and GIS, M.Sc. Thesis, Goa University, Goa, (2002)
  7. Shukla R. and Khare P.K., Food habits of wild ungulates and their competition with livestock in Pench Wildlife Reserve, Central India, Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 95, 418-421 (1998)
  8. Krishnan M., An ecological survey of the large mammals of Peninsular India, Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 69, 297-315 (1972)
  9. Vairavel S.M., Ecology of Gaur (Bos gaurus) with special reference to habitat utilization in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Ph.D., Thesis. Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. Weigum, L.E. (1972)
  10. The problems in the preservation of the Seladang in the Malaysian National Park. M.Sc., Thesis, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA, (1998)
  11. Srivastava K.K., Bhardwaj A.K., George S. and Zacharias V.J., Micro-Histological studies on the food of Sambar, Gaur and Cattle in Periyar Tiger Reserve in winter, Indian Forester, 122(10), 933-936 (1996)
  12. Pasha M.K.S., Areendran G., Sankar K. and Qumar Q., Debarking of teak (Tectona grandis Linn.F) by gaur (Bos gaurus H. Smith) during summer in a tropical dry deciduous habitat of central India, Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 99, 238-244 (2002)
  13. Champion H.G and Seth S.K, A Revised Survey Forest types of India, The Govt. of India Press, New Delhi, (1969)
  14. Rodger W.A. and Panwar H.S., Planning a Wildlife Protected Area Network in India, (vol.1), DehraDun, Wildlife Institute of India, 341, (1988)
  15. Altmann J., Observational study of behaviour sampling method, Behaviour, 49, 227–265 (1974)
  16. Saxena H.O and Brahmam M., The Flora of Orissa, Vol 1-4, Orissa Forest Development Corporation Ltd., Bhubaneswar, (1994-1996)
  17. Satakopan. S, Keys to the identification of plant remains in animal droppings, Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 69(1), 139-150.I, (1978)
  18. Ashokkumar M., Swaminathan S., Desai A.A and DanielJ.C., A study on ecology and conservation of Gaur (Bos frontalis) in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Nilgiri Wildlife and Environmental Association Report, Ottacamund, (2004)
  19. Gad S.D and Shyama S.K., Studies on the food and feeding habits of Gaur Bos gaurus H. Smith (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in two protected areas of Goa, Journal of Threatened Taxa, 1, 128-130 (2009)
  20. Chetri M., Diet analysis of Gaur, Bos gaurus gaurus (Smith, 1827) by microhistological analysis of fecal samples in Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, Our Nature, 4, 20-28 (2006)
  21. Kannan V., Effect of Gaur (Bos gaurus) grazing on predominant grass species in the Shevaroy Hills, Tamil Nadu, M.Sc., Thesis, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C.College, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, (2001)
  22. Sathyanarayana, M.C and Murthy B., Activity patterns and feeding habits of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Berijam reserve forest Palni hills Tamil Nadu. Proceedings of the National symposium on recent trends in Indian Wildlife 22 Research AVC College Mayiladuthari South India, 85-87 (1995)
  23. Prater S.H., The book of Indian animals, Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford University Press, Chennai, (1980)