Female wild buffalo found dead in C''garh tiger reserve

    Raipur, Feb 19 (PTI) A 17-year-old female wild buffalo
died in an enclosure at Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of
Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, a forest official said on
Wednesday.
     The buffalo named Asha, who was kept in the wild
buffaloes conservation centre within the sanctuary, was found
dead in the early hours of Monday, he said.
     The endangered wild buffalo is Chhattisgarh's state
animal, locally known as 'van bhainsa' and is similar to a
bison in appearance.
     In view of the dwindling population of wild buffaloes
in the state, the forest department took up in-situ
conservation and breeding at Udanti-Sitanadi sanctuary.
    Asha was kept in the enclosure for mating and
reproduction since 2005-2006 and had given birth to six calves
in the last 15 years, he said.
    "On February 17, forest personnel spotted Asha in a
tired state, following which the animal was kept under
observation," the official said.
    Principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF-wildlife)
Atul Shukla and other senior officials from Raipur rushed to
the spot, located around 175 km away from here, he said.
    The post-mortem has revealed death due to natural
causes, he added.
    The Chhattisgarh government plans to bring female wild
buffaloes from Assam to increase the population of the animal
in the state. PTI TKP
ARU ARU

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)