Yesterday, news emerged that a 57-year-old farmer in Wales was tragically killed by a water buffalo during lockdown.
The animal reportedly also seriously injured a 19-year-old man believed to be the farmer’s son, as well as a 22-year-old woman, while the pair were out in Gwehelog, Monmouthshire.
Part of a larger herd, the water buffalo was local to the area and had previously not shown signs of aggression. In fact, the owners of the farm had been seen stroking the animal, according to a neighbour.
It raises the question: are water buffalos dangerous or is this a random occurence?
What are water buffalos?
While this endangered species can be found in Wales, water buffalos actually originate from Asia – specifically India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand.
The animal is part of the bovine family, with the creatures in this group being cloven-hoofed and ruminant – meaning they process food in a special part of their several stomachs before this is digested.
Others in this family include the bison, African buffalo, yak and numerous species of wild cattle.
Buffalos are huge, strong animals – often measuring up to 6.2ft tall and weighing between 300-500kg (females tend to be smaller). For this reason, they are often used for transportation, and are sometimes referred to as the ‘living tractor of the East’.
Are water buffalos dangerous?
The majestic creature has become domesticised over thousands of years, with 74 different breeds, and isn’t generally considered a violent animal – but it’s important to remember that domestic water buffalos are different from wild water buffalos.
There are very few left of the wild species, as they are regularly hunted for their meat, horns and milk.
In fact, they are considered at risk and mostly hole up in muddy protected nature reserves and tropical forests in southern Asia.
Although they aren’t usually violent, all species of water buffalo should be considered potentially dangerous – however, not as much so as the Cape buffalo, which can be found in Africa and kills 200 people per year.
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