Lantau, a large island located in the western part of Hong Kong, is rich in biodiversity. Among other species, the island is home to a free-roaming water buffalo population, which provides a unique opportunity to fill in the gaps in buffalo scientific research. The current project supported by the Lantau Conservation Fund will assess the role of buffalo in Lantau’s biodiversity, by taking a behavioural ecology and social sciences approach. The project is led by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and has the two following major objectives: 

• Behavioural ecology: Determination of the buffalo population size, growth, and vegetation use during dry and wet seasons of the year. Additionally, investigate the social and ranging behaviour of the buffalo (herds).

• Social science: Investigation of buffalo-human relations to assess anthropogenic influences on buffalo as agents of conservation. Scientific knowledge generated from the project will not only be instrumental in guiding the conservation efforts of Lantau biodiversity but will advance our understanding of the behavioural and ecological implications of a large mammal in such a unique habitat.