AP To Reintroduce Gaurs in NSTR After 100 Years
AP Forest Department plans a phased release
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is set to reintroduce 25 to 30 gaurs into the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) during November or December, marking the species’ return after nearly a century.
Forest officials said the move is aimed at increasing the prey base for carnivores such as tigers and reducing incidents of big cats straying into fringe villages in search of food.
Preparatory works are under way, and the gaurs will be brought from Madhya Pradesh. A 25x30-hectare enclosure is being developed in the sanctuary for their acclimatisation. Officials said more gaurs may be introduced later, depending on the success of the initial phase.
Additional principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh, L. Krishna Murthy, along with a team of experts, recently visited the sanctuary to assess habitat suitability and inspect arrangements for the enclosure.
Officials said tigers in the reserve mainly prey on sambar deer and wild boar. The gaur, being a large herbivore, is expected to serve as an additional prey source and help strengthen the reserve’s ecological balance.
Before the animals are released, the forest department will vaccinate domestic cattle in surrounding areas to prevent disease transmission. Technical support is also being sought from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which has experience in gaur reintroduction programmes.
The department is also implementing health and veterinary protocols, ensuring perennial water sources, preparing management plans and addressing factors believed to have caused the disappearance of gaurs from the reserve nearly 100 years ago.
Additional principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) Shanti Priya Pandey said the reintroduction would help improve prey density for carnivores and strengthen biodiversity in the reserve.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is keen on the reintroduction of gaurs in NSTR.
DPR for the gaur enclosure has been prepared and approved.
A lone gaur from Telangana entered the sanctuary around two years ago and continues to stay there, indicating suitable habitat conditions.
Gaurs are mainly found in Papikonda National Park and the Chinthapalli forest area.
