Bubalus mindorensis, Heude, 1888

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-779 : 584

8.

Tamaraw

Bubalus mindorensis

French: Tamarau / German: Mindoro-BUffel / Spanish: Tamarao

Other common names: Mindoro Dwarf Buffalo

Taxonomy. Bubalus mindorensis Heude, 1888 ,

Mindoro Island, Philippines, exact location unknown.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Mindoro I, Philippines.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 220 cm (one individual), tail 60 cm, shoulder height 100 cm; weight 200-300 kg. Coat is generally grayish-black but can be dark brown with pale markings on the fetlocks, lower neck, and head. A distinct dorsal line is also evident on some adults. Their horns, which are black in color and triangular in cross section, are short (30-51 cm in length).

Habitat. Tamaraw inhabit open grassland or forest glades, thick bamboo-jungle, marshy river valleys, and upland forests. Formerly, they were found across the whole of Mindoro from sea level to at least 2000 m above sea level.

Food and Feeding. Captive Tamaraw are reported to consume about 5-5 kg (dry weight) of forage per day. Their diet and feeding behaviorislittle studied, but it is thought that they probably prefer forest edges with dense cover and open areas for grazing.

Breeding. Tamaraw usually produce a single offspring, after a gestation period of 317 days. Cows usually calve every other year. In the wild births are reported throughout Mindoro’s rainy season (June-November), and this may extend until January (with newly born or very young Tamaraw being observed).

Activity patterns. Tamaraw are recorded grazing in open areas during the day; the annual population estimates are conducted using daytime surveys in open grass areas. In the MountIglit area, it is thought they use these areasless frequently in the day and more at night, because of increased hunting pressure.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Adult bulls were thought to be solitary for the majority of the time and adult cows are either solitary or accompanied by up to three subadults. The largest groups reported were of 10-11 animals. More recent reports are of smaller groups or solitary animals. The life span of the Tamaraw is reported to be about 20-25 years, although it is not clear whether these figures refer to captive or wild animals. Aggressive behavior between Tamaraw was observed in Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park. It mainly consisted of chases, with no actual fights.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Tamaraw receive total protection under Philippine law. Tamaraw are confined to just three locations on Mindoro Island. Two of these are within protected areas (Mount Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary and Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park), and one is just outside the national park. Two additional locations, mostly outside protected areas, are possible habitats for Tamaraw. They have been reported there in the past and suitable habitatstill remains, but no recent surveys have been conducted. All populations are thought to be very small, with fewer than 300 individuals in all three populations combined. Two Tamaraw, a female and her male offspring, remain in a 280ha enclosed facility known as the “gene pool” captive breeding center. The decline in Tamaraw numbers likely is related partially to the increased use of high-powered rifles and automatic weapons for hunting; these are in addition to the more traditional spears and pit-traps. Human encroachment into Tamaraw habitat, and habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation are also threats; for example, there are cattle ranching and farming activities within Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park and Mount Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary. A large area in the south-western part of Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park is already permanently occupied by people and a large area in the eastern part of the Park has been planted with sugar and cereal crops. Logging and shifting cultivation are thought to pose threats to the Tamaraw in the Mount Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary. The Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) was set up to prevent the extinction of the Tamaraw and develop its potential as an economic resource in 1979. The TCP, through its Community Assistance Program (CAP), has forged a Tamaraw conservation network with communities adjacent to Tamaraw habitat. Several strategies and approaches have been instituted by the TCP to disseminate information and build local public support for Tamaraw and habitat conservation. However, protected areas established in Mindoro in the past have generally not achieved their objective of reducing threats to the Tamaraw. The present protection force is concentrated in Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park (Occidental Mindoro side) and Aruyan-Malati. Efforts are underway to enhance the accuracy of the annual surveys of population size, and to develop a plan to enhance the effectiveness of future conservation actions.

Bibliography. Alcasid (1977), Boyles (2007), Callo (1996), Cox & Woodford (1990), Custodio et al. (1996), Grzimek (1990), Hedges, Duckworth, de Leon et al. (2008), Kuehn (1976, 1986), Lawas & de Leon (1996), de Leon (2004), de Leon et al. (1996), Mason (1974), Momongan & Walde (1993), Namikawa et al. 1995), National Research Council (1983), Rabor (1961, 1986), Sclater (1888), Steere (1889, 1890), Talbot & Talbot (1966).

Figures

1. Gaur (Bos gaurus), 2. Banteng (Bos javanicus), 3. Kouprey (Bos sauveli)

Distribution. Mindoro I, Philippines .