In recent years, conservation scientists have been trialling new approaches to improving habitats and ecosystems – sometimes turning to non-native species for support. Enter the water buffalo.
Originating in Asia, water buffalo have become a more common sight in our landscapes and nature reserves thanks to their unique skills in habitat management and ecosystem restoration.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted nations on the planet, and conservation scientists have discovered that introducing some non-native species like water buffalo is beneficial to restoring certain landscapes. Sometimes, they have similar traits to extinct animals.
Where have water buffalo been introduced in the UK – and why?
In 2007, a pair of water buffalo were introduced to newly created Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire, near Wicken Fen. They were involved in maintaining early successful habitats.
Around this same time, water buffalo were introduced at Cors Dyfi Reserve in North Wales. They have helped to create muddy wallows and break up the ground with their hooves, which in turn benefits plants and wildlife. The arrival of water buffalo has boosted the numbers of native invertebrates and bats, both of which indicate the overall health of an ecosystem.
Water buffalo have also been introduced at Lowther Estate in Cumbria alongside another species: the Eurasian beaver, an animal once native to the UK but which was hunted to extinction in the 16th century. The re-introduction of these two species has created a mutually beneficial relationship, with buffalo wallowing in the pools created by the beaver’s new dams. This combination has led to increased biodiversity and improved water quality, as the buffalo graze on vegetation and prevent overgrowth in these new habitats.
More recently, a herd of water buffalo was introduced to Thorley Wash Nature Reserve in 2023 to improve the rare wetland habitat. Rather than using heavy machinery, water buffalo are hardier and better suited to water-logged conditions than domestic cattle. They graze the wet grassland habitats to reduce the dominance of coarse and scrubby species, allowing space for wildflowers and finer grasses to develop.
Why are water buffalo useful in wetland restoration?
Water buffalo grazing is vital for controlling the growth of dominant plant species and preventing overgrowth in wetland areas. This promotes a variety of habitats, which in turn supports many other species. Their wading also stirs up water and tramples areas, which improves circulation and water quality, and provides new microhabitats for other species. Unlike domestic cattle, water buffalo can wade into deep water, which improves water circulation and prevents stagnation.
Many of these activities could be achieved by heavy machinery for vegetation management, but water buffalo grazing is a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution. Many wetlands have been drained for farming, but the success of water buffalo in restoring these areas has opened new opportunities for wetland conservation.
Top image credit: Getty Images
