The number of wild water buffaloes (Bubalus arnee), locally known as Arna, has increased in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR).

A recent census has put the Arna population in the KTWR at 432, up by 105 from 327 in 2014.

The census was carried out by a joint team of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), National Trust for Nature Conservation and the KTWR from April 10 to 12.

Director General of the DNPWC Phadindra Raj Kharel said there are 182 adult female, 120 adult male Arnas and 130 Arna calves living in the reserve. He added that the annual growth rate of Arna is 7.27percent based on the past two censuses.

Wild water buffalo is listed as endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. It is estimated that there are 3,400 wild water buffaloes in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Bhutan.