Determining the global population of water buffalo is complex because the term encompasses two profoundly different populations within the genus Bubalus. The vast majority are abundant domesticated livestock spread across the globe. Only a tiny fraction represents the genetically distinct and threatened wild population, whose numbers are low. To provide an accurate figure, it is necessary to separate the millions of farm animals from the few thousand remaining truly wild individuals.
Differentiating Domesticated and Wild Water Buffalo
The two main populations of water buffalo exhibit clear differences in form and behavior. Domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are divided into two types: the River Buffalo, prized for milk production, and the Swamp Buffalo, primarily used for draft work in rice paddies. River Buffaloes typically have tightly curled horns, while Swamp Buffaloes have horns that sweep back and outward.
The Wild Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is the ancestor of the domestic form and is a separate, larger species. These wild bovids are heavier and more robust than their domesticated relatives, possessing massive horns that can spread up to two meters, exceeding the size of any other living bovid. They are native to wet grasslands and densely vegetated river valleys, exhibiting a shy and aggressive temperament. Genetic purity is a major concern, as the wild population faces widespread hybridization with feral and domestic buffalo, complicating efforts to identify true wild individuals.
The Abundant Global Population (Domesticated Counts)
The world’s domesticated water buffalo population numbers over 200 million head globally. This massive population is distributed across 77 countries on five continents, with more than 95% concentrated in Asia. India holds the largest share of the global count, followed by countries like Pakistan and China, where husbandry is a long-standing tradition.
These domesticated animals are economic powerhouses, often referred to as the “living tractors of the East” due to their use in plowing fields and transporting goods. Their large, splayed hooves make them especially suited for working in muddy conditions, such as rice paddies. Beyond their role as draft animals, they are a significant source of high-fat, high-protein milk and palatable meat. The milk from River Buffaloes is highly valued for producing rich dairy products like mozzarella and ghee.
Conservation Status of the Wild Asian Water Buffalo
In contrast to the abundant livestock population, the number of Wild Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is low, estimated to be fewer than 4,000 mature individuals worldwide. This small population has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1986. The vast majority of the remaining wild animals, approximately 3,100 individuals, are found in India, predominantly within protected areas in Assam like Kaziranga and Manas National Parks.
The current range of the species is highly fragmented, with isolated pockets persisting in Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, and Cambodia. The primary threats are severe and interconnected, starting with habitat loss and fragmentation as floodplain areas are converted to agriculture. The introduction of diseases from domestic livestock poses a constant risk, and interbreeding with feral and domestic buffalo threatens the genetic integrity of the pure wild lineage. Given these pressures, the wild population is projected to continue its decline, making concentrated conservation efforts within protected reserves a necessity for survival.