My Community, Our Earth Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus
Status of the Bubalus bubalis (Water Buffalo) in the Philippines
Proponents of the Project
Delos Reyes, Joleigh E.
Pascual, Ray Christopher M.
Reyes, MilliemRuzzlee S.
Sayson, Zara Mae F.
Sillada, Mariz Stella
Subcamp
Rosea Matallum Alchemea
Subcamp Advisers
Ms. Suzette Palicte
Mr. Riannel Tecson
Research Adviser
Michael Casas
My Community, Our Earth Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus
VI. Map with description
Figure 1. Head Count of Water Buffaloes in the world in 2004 (Saadat, 2007)
VII. Project Summary Bubalusbubalis(water buffalo) isanendangered species. Worldwide, its numbers are dwindling. In the Philippines, it is known to be the national animal, with farmers using it as a helper in cultivating the land. But for the past generations, there has been a reduction of at least 50% in the population of water buffaloes, which is probably caused by human activities. This study aims to determine the present status of water buffaloes in the Philippines and proposes means that would prevent further decrease in the population of this species.
VII. Objectives This study aims to: 1. determine the present status of water buffaloes in the Philippines; and 2. propose means that would prevent further decrease in the population of this species
IX. Background of the Study Bubalus bubalis (water buffalo) is a domestic bovine animal native toAsia. Their horns extend backward. However, the horns of the female buffaloes are radically smaller.
My Community, Our Earth Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus
They have weights that range from 700 to 1200 kilograms and grow up to 2.7 meters with a range of 60 cm to 100 cm tail. Water buffaloes commonly wallow in muddy water and holes to keep themselves cool. In the Philippines, they are commonly known as carabaos. These animals feed on grasses and herbs. They are used as livestock and their waste servesas fertilizer and fuel. They alsoassist farmers as pack animals to carry heavy loads.
Figure3. A female buffalo wallowing in muddy water (Dale, 2012)
Female buffaloes produce their calves only every two years with a gestation period of 9-11 months. Young buffaloes stay with their maternal herds for three years after birth. At present, they are considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be endangered. According to Hedges, SagarBaral, Timmins, and Duckworth (2008), the main threats to the water buffaloes are habitat loss or degradation, other dangerous and aggressive bovine animals, hunting, meat processing actions of humans that utilize their meat, and diseases. Wild kinds of this species are only restricted to some of the Southeast Asian countries including India and Bhutan. Moreover, a wildlife reservation is also found in Thailand.
X. Project Methods The proponents searched the internet for statistics on the population of water buffaloes in the Philippines and the causes of the decrease in their population. The data gathered were obtained from government agencies that protect endangered species, including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Agriculture (DAR). Moreover, the proponents also obtained information from the official IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Environmental Center of the Philippines Foundation, and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.
My Community, Our Earth Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus
XI. Findings and Results There is a total water buffalo population of 168 million worldwide where 95.83% of this is from different Asian countries. In 2007, the water buffalo population reached 3.84 million and in 2008, there is an accounted 3.4 million heads in the Philippine inventory. But by January 2012, only 2.96 million buffaloes were recorded to be in the country, 99% of which arein backyards or farms. This means that there was a decrease of 440,000 buffaloes in four years. Most buffalo populations are found in protected areas while some are prevented to have any contact with other bovine animals.However, habitat loss due to ‘kaingin’ is still one of the threats to water buffaloes. ‘Kaingin’ is a human activity which destroys the habitats ofthe water buffaloes. Another human activity that threatens water buffaloes is the meat processing actions. In 2007, the number of water buffaloes killed for meat production reached up to 459,088. Aside from this, 13.26% of the population died due to disease and natural calamities. Other threats include hunting; several water buffalo horns had been used as trophies.
XII. Proposed Actions The individual municipalities should have a land plan for areas that may be used for ‘kaingin’. From this, only specific areas will ‘kaingin’ be permitted, decreasing the grasslands destroyed by this human activity. This also preserves the natural habitat of water buffaloes. Grasslands with muddy water in its vicinity allocated solely for water buffaloes should also be available. This wouldprevent them from interacting with other dangerous and aggressive bovine animals. This region would ensure the safety of water buffaloes from hunters and predators as well. Water buffaloes can be kept here to reproduce and be monitored. The proponents also encourage other researchers, scientists, and food chemists to look for alternatives to carabeef or carabao meat, which is used as an important ingredient in sausages, meat loaf, luncheon meat and other comminuted products. Since these products are widely preferred by people today, there is a need to discover a substituted ingredient to be a component of these products instead of carabao meat. This can decrease the number of water buffaloes that are being killedfor meat production. Campaigns or advertisements would also help in increasing the awareness of people.
XIII. Impacts of the study This research informs the public about the water buffaloes and their status at present. It also provides information to government agencies and local institutions assigned to protect endangered species about activities that would prevent further extinction of water buffaloes as well as to increase their population. It also benefits farmers because water buffaloes take a huge part in their work.
My Community, Our Earth Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus
XIV. References Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (2012).Carabao industry performance report. RetrievedSeptember 10, 2012 from http://www.bas.gov.ph/?ids=carabaosituation
Castelein, B. (2012). Water buffalo.Retrieved September 11, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Water_Buffalo.
Dale, B. (2012). Water buffalo.Retrieved September 12, 2012 from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/water-buffalo/ .
Hedges, S., SagarBaral, H., Timmins, R.J.,& Duckworth, J.W. (2008). Bubalusarnee.Retrieved September 13, 2012 from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3129/0
Hildyard, A. (2001). Endangered wildlife and plants of the world. USA: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 183-184 San Pedro, R. (2011). CarabaoniNeneng. Retrieved September 10, 2012 from http://www.slideshare.net/humanupgrade/carabao-ni-neneng.