Bubalus bubalis

The native range of this animal was very extensive, encompassing areas from Egypt into East Asia including some of the islands of the tropical Pacific.  True wild animals are scarce and are found only in very isolated pockets.  Many of the animals found today outside of a domestic situation are feral animals.  From ancient times this animal has been in service to man and appears to have readily accepted domestication.  With domestication several distinct breeds have evolved within different geographical areas.  The Water Buffalo is a two-toed ungulate with few sweat glands.

 The buffalo is used as a work animal under wet conditions.  Their natural habitat is composed of moist or wet areas covered with dense growth of grasses or reeds.  They have immense strength but are very docile with people they are accustomed to.  In Asiatic countries young children are given the task of caring for the family's buffalo, and it is remarkable to see the control these small children have over the animal.

 The buffalo was brought to Hawaii from China sometime in the 1800's for use in rice cultivation, which at the time was a growing business especially on Kauai.  Although the numbers of buffalo were never great in Hawaii they provided valuable service on the various islands.  In Waipio valley the buffalo was used by rice and taro growers.  In the late 1960's one of the attractions on Oahu was watching a taro grower working his field with a water buffalo at the entrance to Waihole valley.  There is a small herd still present in one of the rural valleys on Oahu.

 Honolulu Zoo maintained animals other than privately owned ones.  When the Peace Corps established a training facility in Waipio valley, buffalo from Oahu were brought in and a small herd was established and maintained until the facility was phased out.  All animals except five were shipped to other islands.  The five were kept at Kohala High School until two were sent to our zoo in 1978 and the others were sent to Maui.  Those two animals died in 1984 and 1986.  The Honolulu Zoo gave Arnie to us in 1985.  He eats 1 scoop of alfalfa pellets, 1 scoop barley, and hay in the morning, fresh greens in the afternoon, and carrots or apple for a treat.