Wild Buffaloes From Kaziranga Move Into Larger Enclosure at Kanha as Madhya Pradesh Restores Species After Nearly 100 Years

Key facts

• Eight wild buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga National Park were moved into a 17-hectare enclosure at the Supkhar range of Kanha Tiger Reserve, marking the species' return to Madhya Pradesh after nearly 100 years.
• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released the animals into the larger enclosure on October 11, 2026, after their quarantine in a one-hectare enclosure.
• The eight buffaloes, six females and two males, were brought in two phases on April 28 and May 9, travelling about 2,200 km from Kaziranga with assistance from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• The forest department targets a population of 50 wild buffaloes in the area within three years; Supkhar was chosen based on evidence of the species' historical presence.
• On October 7, the state announced a third cheetah habitat at Nauradehi, named after Rani Durgavati.