27 Indian Gaurs Successfully Relocated from Satpura to Bandhavgarh, Second Phase of Reintroduction Programme Completed

In a major boost to wildlife conservation efforts, the second phase of the Indian Gaur Reintroduction Programme at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was successfully completed on January 26, 2026. Under this initiative, 27 Indian gaurs (5 males and 22 females) were safely relocated from the Satpura Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh, covering a distance of 593 kilometres.

The relocation programme began on January 22 and concluded smoothly after four days of carefully coordinated operations. The gaurs were transported in specially designed vehicles under continuous veterinary supervision and were released into a secured enclosure in the Kallwah range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

According to forest officials, the operation was conducted with extreme caution to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals. Each vehicle carried two to three gaurs, and despite logistical challenges during the long journey, constant monitoring by wildlife veterinarians and forest staff ensured zero casualties. All the relocated gaurs are reported to be healthy and adapting well to their new habitat.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Field Director Dr. Anupam Sahay said the programme was one of the largest wildlife relocation exercises undertaken in the region. Over 210 forest personnel participated in the operation, including more than 150 staff from Satpura Tiger Reserve and over 60 officers and employees from Bandhavgarh. Additionally, nine senior wildlife veterinarians from across Madhya Pradesh were involved in the mission.

The entire operation was led by Satpura Tiger Reserve Field Director Ms. Rakhi Nanda, whose round-the-clock supervision played a key role in the successful execution of the programme.

Indian gaurs, also known as Indian bison, had become locally extinct in Bandhavgarh in 1998. Efforts to restore the species began in 2010–11, when 50 gaurs were relocated from Kanha Tiger Reserve. More recently, 22 gaurs were brought from Satpura in February 2025. With the latest addition, conservationists are optimistic about establishing a stable and self-sustaining gaur population in the reserve.

The programme is being implemented jointly by the Government of India, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and other partner institutions under the project titled “Population Management Strategies for Gaur: Supplementation of Gaur in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.”