During the study, the carcass of an adult female wild water buffalo was found and judged to have been killed by a tiger (pers. obs. February 29, 2000). Tigers are the primary predators of wild water buffalo in HKK; however, the finding of an adult wild water buffalo killed by a tiger does not fit well with the suggestion of Lekagul and McNeely (1977) and de Silva et al. (2001) that predators of wild water buffalo prey primarily on calves, juveniles or unhealthy buffalos. Another paper exists that supports the view that adult wild
water buffalo are also subject to predation by tiger.
Bhumpakphan (1997) reported finding two adult wild water buffalo that had been killed by tiger attacks in HKK. Attacks on calves and juvenile wild water buffalos by tiger are also likely to be common. Petdee (2000) found buffalo hair in tiger scat in the wet season, a period that coincides with birthing season of wild water buffalo.
STATUS OF WILD WATER BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis) IN THAILAND
Rattanawat Chaiyarat 2004
water buffalo are also subject to predation by tiger.
Bhumpakphan (1997) reported finding two adult wild water buffalo that had been killed by tiger attacks in HKK. Attacks on calves and juvenile wild water buffalos by tiger are also likely to be common. Petdee (2000) found buffalo hair in tiger scat in the wet season, a period that coincides with birthing season of wild water buffalo.
STATUS OF WILD WATER BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis) IN THAILAND
Rattanawat Chaiyarat 2004
