Water Buffalo / Karabao
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Water Buffalo / Karabao
Bubalus bubalis
Introduced species. Protected species.
Karabao, as water buffalo are called locally, were brought to Guam from the Philippines in the late 1600s. Because of their great strength, they were used by farmers to pull plows and carts and have been called "living tractors". In recent years, however, they have been replaced by machine tractors. At one time there were several thousand karabao on Guam, but now fewer than a hundred may remain on farms. A wild population of about 300 animals also lives in the savanna and forests of southern Guam. Karabao are protected on Guam which means that it is against the law to hunt, kill or in any way harm these animals.
Closely related to the African cape buffalo, karabao have the general appearance of domestic cattle. Adults weigh 1,500 to 1,800 pounds and have fairly long gray or black hair thinly covering their huge bodies. They have a tuft of hair on their forehead and at the tip of their tail. Normally they are silent, but they will give a trembling snort if they are surprised. Both males and females have massive horns. Since karabao have no sweat glands, they cool themselves by lying in water holes or mud during the heat of the day. Mud caked onto their bodies also protects them from bothersome insects.
Karabao eat grass and other vegetation, feeding mainly in the cool of the mornings and evenings. In areas where they form large herds, their wallowing and well-worn trails can cause considerable vegetation damage and soil erosion. In some places of the world, karabao are used for milk, just like a cow, or they may be eaten. They live to be about 18 years old and have one calf each year.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
