| Tamaraw |
 |
| Bubalus
mindorensis Heude, 1888 |
The tamaraw has long been confused with the anoa (Bubalus
depressicornis, Bubalus quarlesi) and some authors placed
it in the
subgenus Anoa
(e.g. Rabor, 1977; Nowak, 1991). Later it was considered
as a subspecies of the water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) (Corbet and Hill,
1992), before receiving its specific status. Even though the
phylogenetic relationships remain unclear, the result of DNA analysis
show that the tamaraw share a closer relationship with the water
buffalo (Bubalus arnee)
than with the other species of Bubalus
(Tanaka
et al., 1996). Bubalus
mindorensis has no recognised subspecies
(Custodio et al., 1996).
The tamaraw is endemic to the island of Mindoro (9,735 km2), south of
Manila, in the Philippines, with a total range estimated to be less
than 100 km2. One century ago, tamaraw were widespread across this
island, but now their distribution is much dispersed; only two
populations seems to exist, one on the Mangyan Heritage Park
(previously know has Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park) located in a
mountainous terrain in the central region of Mindoro, and another one
on Mount Aruyan/Sablayan in the west (IUCN, 2002). Much of Mindoro is
very rugged and unsuitable as tamaraw habitat. Fossil records of
tamaraw dating to the Pleistocene have been found in Luzon, the main
island of the Philippines, indicating that the species distribution was
once more widespread. Moreover, according to recent discovery of fossil
remains, the tamaraw may be the last survivor of several species of
dwarf buffaloes (e.g. Bubalus
cebuensis), which have become extinct in
the Philippines since human colonization of the islands (Croft et al.,
2006).
Total height at the shoulders is about 95 to 110 cm and body mass 200
to 300 kg. The limbs are short and the body is stocky (Rabor, 1977).
Neonates are reddish-brown with dark brown legs and a black dorsal
line. Calves a few months old have light brown bodies which later turn
dark brown or slate colored. The developpement of a slate-colored
pelage occur at 3 to 4 years old in males and females. In most
individuals the slate-colored pelage darkens to black, but some adult
females can be rather brown or brown-tinged. Change in haircoat color
and shape of the horns can be used in the estimation of the age of
tamaraws (Kuehn, 1986). White markings are present above the hooves as
well as on the inner lower forelegs, similar to the lowland anoa
(Bubalus depressicornis). White markings are also present on the inside
of the ears (Custodio et al., 1996). Adults present short horns (35-50
cm long), which grow upward and are triangular on cross section. Sexual
dimorphism is low, the male presents a thicker neck than the
female.
The ecology of the tamaraw is largely unknown, with only short term
studies in the wild. Tamaraws used to roam in open pasture, dense
bamboo vegetation, marshy river valleys and upland forest in Mindoro
Island, from sea level to elevation over 2,000 m (Rabor, 1977). Because
of pressures from hunting and shrinking habitat, the animals
defensively retreated to forested areas and are now active at night
(Kuehn, 1986). The original dipterocarp forests of Mindoro Island are
found only as remnant fragments along limestone ridges where they are
protected from fire (Talbot and Talbot, 1966). Current populations
occur at very low densities. They are more solitary than other wild
bovines, especially adult males who do not seem to associate together,
but associate with reproductive female for short time. Family groups
consist of a female with calves. Juveniles can occasionally aggregate
together. Females can hide their neonate to range quite far (50m)
rather than accompanying them constantly (Kuehn, 1986). Their diet
consists mainly of new growth of grass (Cynodon arcuatus, Digitaria
sanguinalis, Eleusine indica, Sorghum nitidum, Paspalum scrobiculatum,
Alloteropsis semialata, Vetiveria zizanoides, Imperata cylindrica and
Saccharum spontaneum) and bamboo shoots (Schizostachyum sp.) (Talbot
and Talbot, 1966). In summer they move to lower areas in search of
water. Tamaraws seem to wallow more during the day than at night and
during the rainy season compared to the dry season (Momongan et al.,
1996). Gestation period is between 276 and 315 days, with only one
young per birth. They have an interbirth interval of two years. Calves
will stay with their mothers for 2-4 years, after which they go off on
their own. In the wild, birth seems to occur throughout the rainy
season. Some estimates suggest a lifespan of 25 years.
Historically, the population may have numbered 10,000 in 1900
(Harrisson, 1969), but has since declined to 30 to 200 individuals
distributed in only two populations as the result of considerable
habitat loss by burning and human encroachment, poaching (by indigenous
people, cattle ranchers, human settlers and sportsmen), competition and
disease transmission from livestock (IUCN, 2002). The estimates for the
Mangyan Heritage Park vary from 20 to ca. 175 individuals, and figures
of between 14 to 30 individuals have been suggested for Mount Aruyan
(IUCN, 2002). However, accurate estimates of population size and of all
populations do not exist. The sharp decline in the population of
tamaraw from 1900 to 1949 was attributed to the outbreak of rinderpest
in the Philippines around 1930. Enforcement of existing legislation is
needed to protect the known tamaraw populations, i.e. in Mangyan
Heritage Park (75,500ha). Human encroachment on the Mangyan Heritage
Park is by far the most serious threat to the tamaraw. Cox and Woodford
(1990) reported that 2,000 people have already illegally occupied a
vast area in the south-western part of this park. The creation of
protected areas containing major tamaraw populations is highly
recommended. It is also important to prevent the transmission of
domestic cattle disease to Mindoro. The likelihood of outbreaks of
highly infectious disease such as foot and mouth disease, tuberculosis,
rinderpest and brucellosis, is particularly high. The Tamaraw
Conservation Program (TCP) was established in 1979 to protect the
tamaraw, restore its habitat, conduct information and education
campaigns, and carry out population and habitat studies (Maala, 2001).
According to the report by Cox and Woodford (1990), TCP has failed in
its mission to provide adequate protection to the tamaraw or to
generate a significant number of research studies. Such efforts to
establish a practical conservation management and research program for
this species have been hampered by conflicting recommendations from
international organizations. Moreover, multiple changes in supervising
authority have resulted in altered priorities, unreliable funding, and
suspension of activities (IUCN, 1996). The captive breeding component
of TCP was realized through a 280-ha captive breeding facility known as
“gene pool”, established near the southern border
of the
Mangyan Heritage Park. Unfortunately, this species is considered
difficult to keep in captivity and this breeding facility was a failure
(Cox and Woodford, 1990). There are presently no tamaraw in captivity
outside of Philippines.
Click here to be forwarded to the library
of wild cattle related articles |
