BELGAUM: Called the Gaur or the Wild Indian Bison, the animal is huge, strong and very dangerous.This large endangered herbivore happens to be one of the most beautiful wildlife species found in Khanapur jungles of Belgaum which is the abode of a variety of wildlife.
Though the bison is one of the most dangerous species in the forest and killed a man recently, it is the pride of Khanapur jungle.
Even the villagers residing in jungles help the forest department in safeguarding it.
Girish Hosur, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Belgaum Division told The New Indian Express that the habitat of Bison is noted more in specific pockets of Khanapur. Their population is more in Talewadi of Khanapur jungles.
Kankumbi range too has a good number of bisons, especially around Amgaon village and a few herds have been identified in Jamboti and Nagargali range, he said.
Hosur said that the government has been trying its level best to protect this endangered species.
As far as Khanapur jungle is concerned, it is very protective, with the villagers and forest department safe guarding the bison.
Moreover, no small animal like a leopard can do any harm to a bison. It is very strong and can only be targeted by an animal like a tiger, he said.
"Gaur usually spends the night in a forest and emerges into the clearings to feed during the day. They feed mainly on grass,’’ said Hosur.
Their numbers are threatened by human encroachment of their habitat.
Diseases of domestic cattle are also a threat to the survival of Gaur in the wild, he said. A huge herd of bison in jungles is a rare and pleasurable sight in Khanapur, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Belgaum Division, said.