The elephant survey team found Gaur(Bos gaurus) in the Idukki wildlife sanctuary

Gaur(Bos gaurus) in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Ameer KP

For decades, Gaur, colloquially called Indian bison, was absent in the Idukki wildlife sanctuary. However, during the survey on December 19, 2021, Ameer KP, a survey team member, saw one cattle swimming across the Idukki reservoir. Feral cattle are common in the sanctuary, but after close observation, it is found that it is a gaur swimming in the water.  According to the literature and officials, and people knowledgeable about the area, gaur has not been seen in/reported from the sanctuary and adjacent areas since long time and was considered locally extinct. The present observation with photographic evidence calls for further investigation and continuous monitoring of gaur to ensure its safety. It is also important to remove the cattle from the area as envisaged in the Sanctuary Management Plan.