Habitat use and conservation threats to Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

Wild Water Buffalo (WWB) Bubalus arnee is an endangered species and a protected animal in Nepal. The remaining WWB population located Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), it appears to have low viability under prevailing conditions. We assessed the habitat use conservation threats wild water buffalo KTWR. For analysis quadrant method was used. Eighty-four quadrants of 25 m2 for trees, 168 10m2 shrubs 336 1 herbs were laid out study area. Ivlev’s electivity index (IV) calculated assess different components. important Value Index (IVI) used vegetation assessment. A relative threat ranking their habitats. mostly preferred habitats with distance resources less than 500 m (IV= 0.4), % crown coverage 0.39) more 75 ground 0.42). trees Phyllanthus emblica, Acacia catechu, shrub Mimosa pudica herb Brachiaria distachya, Vetiveria zizanioides, Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spontaneum by Among plant categories, we found that catechu most tree (IVI= 156.95), 58.68), cylindrica 64.73). Major perceived local stakeholders buffaloes overgrazing cattle genetic swamping through crossbreeding domestic buffalo. Therefore, grass control grazing, prevention cross breeding are measures supported this study. Additionally, site-specific strategies should be adopted, based on identified