Habitat Preference and General Behavior of Blue Bull (Boselaphus Tragocamelus) in Lumbini Development Area, Rupandehi , Nepal

Abstract

Blue bulls (Boselaphus tragocamelus) are found near human settlements and crops and fields outside the protected areas in lowland of Nepal. The study was conducted with main purpose to find out habitat preference and diurnal activity pattern of blue bull in Lumbini Development Area, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Nepal during the month of 29 February to 31 March 2022. The land use land cover type of the area was classified to determine the available habitat types and habitat preference of blue bull were studied by direct observation of blue bull population in the area. A total of 73 individuals of blue bull were recorded during the study period along the 20 line transects each of 200 m – 300m length were surveyed. Major population of blue bull were found in grassland while less found in cultivated or agricultural land. The activities of the individuals of blue bull were recorded by using focal animal sampling and scan sampling methods to determine the diurnal time budget of blue bull in three observational phases 7:00am–10:30am, 10:30am–2:00pm, and 2:00pm–5:30pm (morning, afternoon and evening). The behavioral states recorded were grazing, locomotion, resting, alerting and other activities (running fighting). Blue bull spent maximum time in grazing, resting and locomotion, and no records of grooming and ruminating activities were recorded during the study period. Blue bull engaged maximum time in feeding during 7:00–10:30am and 2:00–5:30 pm when the temperature was low, while blue bull spent the greatest amount of time in resting in between 12:00 to 3:30 pm as temperature increases during the day time, hence blue bull spent more time in resting, rather than feeding. There was no significant difference in time spent in basic activities between male and female individuals.