A consignment of 14 gaurs (Indian bisons) has been sent from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve with the technical assistance of experts from South Africa. Five male and nine female bisons have been translocated in a specially built truck. These wild animals are being translocated to Bandhavgarh after tranquillising them.

It is the second phase of the operation to translocate bisons to Bandhavgarh. Earlier, 19 bisons were translocated to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in January 2011.

The second phase of translocation of bison to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve began on March 3, 2012 with the cooperation of Chief Wildlife Warden and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RT Sharma, South African experts including Les Carlyle, Dev Cooper and Jeff Cook, officers of Kanha Tiger Reserve and other officers of the State, wildlife doctors and scientists/wildlife doctors of Indian Wildlife Institute, Dehradun.

In fact, Indian bison (gaur) is wild animal similar to cow and bull. They lead life in groups in their natural habitats. At present, there are about 1,600 bison in Kanha Tiger Reserve. There are 15 to 20 bisons in one herd.

The Central Government has granted permission for translocation of bison from Kanha to Bandhavgarh. In January 2011, 19 bisons were translocated from Kanha National Park to Bandhavgarh National Park.

Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun had been entrusted with the task of study and research of the translocation project. After the analysis made by the Wildlife Institute, a conclusion was drawn that at least 50 bisons were necessary for permanent population of bison in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. After this, a request was made to the Central Government.

The bison translocated to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve are getting fully settled as per expectation. Out of these, two bison died of some unknown disease and one was killed by a tiger. Another bison is missing since long. Death of some wild animals due to extreme heat is nothing unprecedented.

This missing bison might have died. Meanwhile, two bison calves have been born. Thus, the bison population is now 17 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. This is an unparalleled exercise, which is moving towards success.