Three domestic water buffaloes were released on Wednesday in the protected area of the Middle Reservoir of the Nové Mlýny Water Reserve. This is the first protected area in the South Moravia Region where these animals will help maintain a diverse mosaic of wetland vegetation. The introduction of long-term grazing of large herbivores in protected Natura 2000 wetlands is part of the LIFE in Salt Marshes project, whose main coordinator is the Masaryk University.
A trio of buffalo cows have been roaming an area of about 5.5 ha in a newly installed mobile electric pen since today. The buffalo cows will mainly graze here on reeds and goldenrod, which often overgrow the protected wetlands and thus crowd out all other plant species. The result of such overgrowth is a uniform jungle of tall-forests, where not much else grows or lives. By grazing out parts of the monotonous vegetation, the buffaloes will gradually create a mosaic of varying habitats and create better conditions for various insects, birds, amphibians, and small mammals.
"Grazing of large herbivores as a way of managing protected areas works in many places across Europe. Our project aims is to initiate and sustain this method of restoring and maintaining protected wetlands in southern Moravia. Where possible, we also aim at cooperation with local farmers," explains Barbora Pelánková, the project manager of the Life in Salt Marshes project, from the Masaryk University, Faculty of Science.
Domestic water buffaloes, often referred to as domestic buffaloes, have been bred in Europe since at least Roman times, mainly in southern Europe. There are many examples of good practices where buffalo grazing helps with the maintenance of protected areas. They can be found in Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, or even in the Hradec Králové region (Czech Republic). The new buffalo trio has been kindly lent from the Ohař buffalo farm in Mirovice. Their presence will help mimic all the natural processes that used to be provided for by the roaming herds of large herbivores in the past.
"The buffaloes are perfectly suited to the wetland’ conditions. They require low maintenance, are not picky about fodder, and of a peaceful and are friendly nature. They tolerate waterlogged environments very well. They love wallowing in mud, which will also help expand the shallow pools. These are then used by many species of amphibians and insects," adds Gašpar Čamlík, managing director of the South Moravian Branch of the Czech Society for Ornithology and founder of the Kosteliska Bird Park, where grazing of large herbivores has been used for several years to maintain a diverse wetland environment for protected species.
The new buffalo pasture is a part of the LIFE in Salt Marshes project, whose main coordinator is the Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Dpt. of Botany and Zoology. Grazing of herbivores for restoration and maintenance of species-rich wetlands is led by the project partner, the South Moravian Branch of the Czech Society for Ornithology. Buffalo grazing in this particular area of the Nové Mlýny Water Reserve is possible thanks to the kind consent and support of Povodí Moravy, as the land owner, and of the Regional Authority of the South Moravian Region, as the managing authority of the protected area.
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