Chapters from the Field

Summer Survival: Feral Buffaloes' Cool Tricks in the Heat!

Subtropical summers aren’t just tough on us–feral water buffalo feel the heat too! But Hong Kong’s iconic animals have some slick strategies up their hooves for thriving in scorching conditions. Watching them reveals a surprising parallel to our own social lives. When the sun blazes, they don’t sweat it-literally. After the most important part of eating, they slip into the forest’s shady embrace or ‘craft’ their own ‘wallows’ to relax in rainwater-filled pools. And if they miss out on a personal pool party, no worries-they join larger communal wallows with other groups members. But their coolest move? They spend hours submerged in water canals (they are nice!), and this is not just a cooldown, it’s a bonding session too. As dusk falls, they head beachside, catching the breeze and enjoying playful interactions, much like our evening hangouts. Turns out, these buffalo turn summer struggles into a social affair, proving that beating the heat is better when done together. It is fascinating to know that they have their own version of summer survival playbook.  

Dusk Duets: Humans and Buffaloes in Lantau's Dance

In the serene village lanes of Lantau, the dance between humans and buffaloes goes beyond the fields. Residents stroll peacefully alongside these gentle giants, patiently waiting as buffaloes move between grasslands. As the sun set, I shadowed two adult buffaloes in Pui O, observing their unhurried journey through the village. Entering an empty playground surrounded by houses and homes, they foraged on grass and weeds whose names I could not identify for about 20 minutes. The buffaloes slowly moved their body, bringing themselves to a stop at the entrance of a lane. A young boy who looked less than ten years old with his bike, accompanied by an adult, encountered the buffaloes on the narrow path. In a simple yet profound moment, the boy calmly suggested from a distance while the adult attempted to guide the buffaloes, "Let's wait for them to move." The two buffaloes paused for a while, then disappeared in the left corner of the lane. This nightly ballet captures the unscripted interplay between villagers and their buffalo companions in Lantau, offering a glimpse into the natural rhythm of life in this serene village.

Dr. Debottam Bhattacharjee & Dr. Danhe Yang

December 18, 2023