Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary Sees Significant Rise in Bison Population
Wildlife officials in Odisha report encouraging news from the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bargarh district. The sanctuary's third consecutive bison census shows a healthy increase in the Indian gaur population. The count now stands at 848 animals, up from 788 recorded just six months ago.
Year-Round Breeding Pattern Confirmed
Authorities conducted these detailed surveys in November 2024, May 2025, and January 2026. The primary goal was to understand the breeding habits of these massive animals. The results reveal a vital pattern. Unlike many other regions in India, the bison in Debrigarh breed throughout the entire year.
"It is not a seasonal phenomenon in this sanctuary," explained Anshu Pragyan Das, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Hirakud Wildlife Division. "Every range of the sanctuary maintains a monthly register of newborn gaurs."
Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha stated that the focus has now shifted to habitat management and strengthening conservation measures. The data provides a clear direction for these efforts.
Census Details and Population Breakdown
The comprehensive census covered 353 square kilometers of the sanctuary. A team of 73 units meticulously documented the herds. They recorded a total of 848 bison organized into 69 distinct herds.
A promising sign for the future is the age distribution. Approximately 30% of the population, about 235 animals, are juveniles under two years old. This indicates successful reproduction and calf survival.
Within the designated 50-square-kilometer safari tourism zone, observers counted 145 bison living in eight separate herds.
Habitat and Behavior Insights
Officials credit the population increase to targeted, species-specific habitat management. These efforts focus on supporting the natural feeding and behavioral patterns of the Indian gaur.
While bison are known for long-distance migrations, the Debrigarh population shows different movement patterns. They exhibit seasonal movements of just 5 to 15 kilometers per day, largely keeping their territory within the sanctuary boundaries.
The animals are frequently spotted along the shoreline of the Hirakud reservoir, which borders the sanctuary. An adult male gaur can weigh an astonishing 1,500 kilograms. Despite their size, they remain prime prey for large carnivores like Royal Bengal Tigers and leopards sharing their habitat.
The census data from November 2024 to January 2026 shows a total increase of 189 bison. This consistent growth strongly supports the finding of continuous, year-round breeding in the Debrigarh ecosystem, a notable contrast to seasonal patterns seen elsewhere in central India.
