Rare Breeds and Varieties of the Balkan - Safeguard for Agricultural ...

BUFFALO
Mediterranean Water Buffalo
Local names: Buallica
The Crusaders brought the Water Buffalo to Europe in the middle
Ages, where it acclimatized to the cooler conditions. Bulgaria and Italy are home to long established
herds of Water Buffalo, and hence they are often called Mediterranean Water Buffalo.
This animal is characterized by: Long body, medium neck and thin for females, thick for males;
chest is wide and deep, the belly is voluminous, the legs are medium thick, with sound hooves.
Details:
Acceptance officially recognised
Area of distribution Several municipalities in Kosovo
Population size Less than 500 Mature Female’s; Less than 20 Mature Male’s
Risk status critical
Colour black
Coat black, dark grey and rarely white spots
Head lean with large black eyes
Horns Males and Females horned
Weight Female’s = 500-550 kg/Live body weight; Male’s = 600-700 kg/live
body weights
Height Mature Female = 136 cm; Mature Male’s=139 cm
Use draught power, milk and butter;
Productivity production: 1000l, 8% milk fat; maturity 30-33 months; bulls breed
until 10-15 years; Gravidity 300-320 days;
Remarks Like in several countries of the Balkans, the domestic buffalo of
Mediterranean type is spread in Kosovo as well. There is no buffalo
conservation program in Kosovo. There is evidence that last decade
the number of buffalos has been decreased rapidly.
Source of information Dr. Hysen Bytyqi; University of Prishtina – Faculty of Agriculture,
Prishtina Kosovo
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