Buffalo Water

True Wild Asian Water Buffalo or Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo is an endangered species. It is thought to survive in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand. It is a large ungulate and a member of the bovine subfamily and the ancestor of all the abundant Domestic Asian Water buffalo varieties and breeds which have descended from it.

The IUCN Red List of threatened species classifies 'Wild Asian Water Buffalo" (B. arnee) as an endangered species. The total number of wild Asian Buffalo left is thought to be less than 4,000, which suggests that the number of mature individuals will be less than 2,500, and an estimated continuing decline of at least 20 percent within 14 years (ca. two generations) and at least 50 percent within 21 years seems likely given the severity of the threats, especially hybridization with the abundant domestic water buffalo leading to genetic pollution.

The Domestic Asian Water Buffalo, although derived from the Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo, is the product of thousands of years of selective breeding carried out by ancient Asian civilizations, especially in India.

The slightly smaller African Buffalo or Cape buffalo is not closely related to the Wild Asian Water buffalo however the African Buffalo's ancestry remains unclear. Owing to African Buffalo’s unpredictable nature which makes them highly dangerous to humans, it has not been domesticated like their Asian counterpart.