Carabao

 

Carabao (Bubalus bubalis)

The national animal of the Philippines
The carabao is a swamp type domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) found in the Philippines. A direct relation to the Chinese water Buffalo
Water buffaloes were probably introduced to the Philippines by Malay immigrants around 300 to 200 BC, There are approximately around 3 million Carabao in the Philippines.

The Carabao is a very important draft animal if it is not working in rice fields it can be seen pulling lumbar in forests or a type of sledge called a Carusa.  There is a move now in the Philippines towards rearing Carabao commercially for meat and milk.
Carabao are medium sized animals ,Weighing from 300-350kgs at mature age. Bulls can weigh as much as 400-500kgs.  They are very powerful and make light work of pulling a plough through unbroken ground or pulling a cart or Carusa.

Carabao are gentle creatures

 

Despite their size they are very gentle and docile creatures.

Once their work is done their favorite pastime is to wallow in water and better still thick mud.
The mud benefits them by acting as a sun block, conditions their skin, gets rid of parasites and makes it more difficult for insects to bite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motag Living Museum will be using 3 to 4 Carabao and we have been endorsed by
Philippine Carabao Centre