WHERE AND HOW TO GREET A WATER BUFFALO
Today almost all the remaining population of some
60 water buffaloes are to be found at Pui O
and the adjacent fields of Ham Tin and Shap Long
where they can be seen grazing in the fields,
wallowing in mud pools or on the beach.
A few even venture to Mui Wo and Tong Fuk.
Buffalo are docile and curious creatures.
They may move away as you approach
or they may come and sniff you.
Be quiet and avoid sudden movements
and you will be able to view them at close range without fear.
Remember that calves (baby buffalo) always have
an anxious mother so do not try and touch the calf
so as not to worry the mother.
Sometimes a buffalo may be walking toward you on a path.
Do not be frightened, just walk slowly and naturally and you
will find that the buffalo will either step aside for you or stop to
let you past.

2008-07-24 Cattle leaflet

BUFFALO DUNG - BUFFALO PLOP
– BUFFALO POO
Shape – deposited in ‘pyramids’ (unlike cattle which do
‘pancakes’).
Smelly – sometimes
Awful on your shoes – always!
Useless – NEVER
When dry it can:
• be burnt as a fuel, and
in other countries it is:
• used as a natural antiseptic
• mixed with mud as a floor covering
• used as a pot cleaner and brass polish
But best of all, it is an excellent fertilizer for gardens.

INTERESTING FACTS
Water buffalo live in family groups.
A bull (male) may have one to three cows (female).
His family may have several children (calves).
They are vegetarian, eating grass and young shrubs.
The buffalo’s natural habitat is wetland
where there are pools to wallow in, cool off
and escape annoying insects.
They love water and will happily swim in the sea.
Although water buffalo are by nature docile
and peaceful animals, they can be aggressive when
competing for females, or when frightened.
Resting buffalo can be easily approached.
In other countries in South East Asia, people ride
buffaloes but this is not recommended here!
_________________
PROTECT OUR BUFFALO
The water buffalo we see today are the descendants
of those who used to work our fields.
They have no ‘owners’ now and are feral (wild).
There are some people who see these as
an embarrassing reminder of our rural past,
and as occupying land which could be developed.
However many people see the buffalo as a
majestic reminder of our past, as docile companions
and as charming creatures worth preserving
in this high paced urban city.
The buffalo perform an important ecological service:
without their presence, wetland areas start to dry out
and the special ecology with various amphibian species
and beautiful birds goes into decline.
Enjoy and value the water buffaloes among us.
Their presence living peacefully beside us reminds us
of our humanity.

HISTORY
Water buffalo were once a very important part
of village life on Lantau.
These immensely strong animals were the ‘tractors’
which ploughed the alluvial coastal plains for
wet-land rice cultivation.
Their droppings (dung) were the most important
fertilizer for gardens.
Up to the 1970s,
buffalo were still
being used at Pui O
to plough the fields.
But rice cultivation
soon ceased
and the hard-working
buffaloes have been
left to fend for
themselves on the
remaining wetland
plains.
Their descendants are still with us today although
now reduced through culling to some 60 animals only,
an enchanting and poignant reminder of our
agricultural heritage and the essential part played by
these, our valued partners.