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