Status of the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

Abstract

The Bengal Florican is one of the rarest bustard species and is listed ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN. The species is restricted to the lowland grasslands of India, Nepal, and Cambodia with fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. To assess the species status in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, we repeated our first comprehensive survey conducted during the 2012 breeding season. In spite of a larger area coverage we recorded only 41 adult Bengal Floricans in 2017 compared to 47 individuals in 2012. Detectability of this rare species is low in its Imperata-Saccharum grasslands. We, therefore, used a long pole with black and white clothing to mimic Bengal Florican’s display flight to stimulate male Bengal Florican. The number of adult males recorded was the same as in the 2012 survey and the adult male density remains one of the highest in the Indian subcontinent. Management recommendations for the long-term conservation of the species in Koshi Tappu include maintenance of Imperata-Saccharum grasslands in the reserve favoured by the Bengal Florican and working with farmers and communities adjacent to the reserve where the birds breed in order to maintain some agricultural lands with vegetation height suitable for the species especially during the species’ breeding season.

Population status and distribution of the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis in the grassland of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

“…An estimated 70% of the reserve's land area is covered by 'phantas' (patches of short grasslands) (Jha et al 2018), water and riverine forests and 46.6% of the KTWR is suitable for florican population distribution (Baral et al 2020). Typha spp.…”

“…KTWR holds the highest population of Bengal Florican (around 40) among the protected areas of Nepal (Baral et al 2020). Furthermore, the recorded density of adult male florican in KTWR is highest on the Indian subcontinent (Baral et al 2020).…”

“…KTWR holds the highest population of Bengal Florican (around 40) among the protected areas of Nepal (Baral et al 2020). Furthermore, the recorded density of adult male florican in KTWR is highest on the Indian subcontinent (Baral et al 2020). As 46.6 % of its area, primarily grasslands, comprises suitable florican habitat, appropriate management of Koshi Tappu's grassland is essential for the conservation of the species (Baral et al 2013).…”

“…The Bengal Florican has been recorded in different national parks of Nepal including Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Bardia National Park, Shuklaphanta National Park, and Chitwan National Park (Baral et al 2020). However, rapidly changing habitat condition calls for urgent conservation action and research examining the vulnerability and resilience of this species to the environmental changes (Baral et al 2013).…”

“…However, rapidly changing habitat condition calls for urgent conservation action and research examining the vulnerability and resilience of this species to the environmental changes (Baral et al 2013). Extensive loss and modification of habitat due to anthropogenic activities (Aaranyak 2009), over-grazing (Gray et al 2009), increased poaching (Baral et al 2002;Poudyal 2008), inappropriate grass fires (Collar & Inskipp 1984), burning and ploughing regimes (Jha et al 2018), and increasing dominance of invasive species like Mikania micrantha (Baral et al 2020) comprise the major immediate threats to this species within their preferred habitat inside protected areas (Baral et al 2013).…”