Population estimate of Asian Water Buffalo and wild cattle in the Arafura Swamp, central Arnhem Land

Abstract

An aerial sur\'ey of Asian Water Buffalo Bubalus biibalis and wild cattle Bos taunts was undertaken in the Arafura Swamp region of central Arnhem Land in September 2005.The survey covered 3 089 km^ and included the Arafura Swamp, nearby Blyth River, Clyde River floodplains, Goyder River and the floodplains of the Gulbuwangay River.A total of 812 individuals was recorded during the surv'ey, 40% being Asian Water Buffalo and 60% wild cattle. The surv'ey area was estimated to have a buffalo population of 5 187 (95% Cl, 2 108 -8 266) and a wild cattle population of 4 333 (95% Cl, 1 827 -6 839). These estimates are corrected for perception and availabilitybias. The traditional owners' objective is to manage the buffalo population for subsistence and commercial use. The data presented in this paper will be useful in planning for this development and as a basis for future management and monitoring of both buffalo and wild cattle populations.Asian Water Buffalo Bitbaltis bttbalis (two animals on left of photograph) mixing freely with a herd of domestic catde in central Arnhem Land, northern Australia.