Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Faces Genetic Erosion Threat to Wild Arna
Summary
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal faces a threat to its wild arna population due to genetic erosion caused by cross-breeding with domestic buffaloes and disease transmission risks.
Key Points
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a key habitat for the rare wild arna in Nepal's Terai region.
- Uncontrolled open grazing and domestic buffaloes mixing with wild herds have increased cross-breeding, causing genetic erosion in wild arna.
- Mixed traits are visible in some buffaloes, indicating dilution of wild arna genetic purity.
- Disease transmission from domestic livestock to wild arna poses additional threats to their small populations.
