The tamaraw is the only wild buffalo species native to the Philippines and endemic to Mindoro island. At just over a meter tall at the shoulder, it's the smallest buffalo in the world, earning its nickname "dwarf buffalo.”
Historically, tamaraws were abundant across Mindoro Island, inhabiting a variety of ecosystems and serving as a testament to the island's healthy and diverse environment.
Over recent years, the species has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. An estimated population of about 300 individuals remains today in three isolated sub-populations covering a range of less than 10,000 hectares. There are no animals under human care.
Threats affecting the tamaraw population
Several factors have caused the dramatic decline of the Tamaraw’s population:
Habitat Loss Throughout the 20th Century
The primary culprit has been the ever-expanding human footprint. Resettlement programs and population growth in Mindoro have significantly reduced the tamaraw's habitat.
Farming activities, including slash-and-burn practices for agriculture, directly destroyed grasslands and forests, fragmenting populations and limiting their access to food and shelter. The introduction of cattle ranching further compounded the problem. Competition for grazing land and the introduction of diseases from livestock further squeezed the tamaraw's resources.
Historical and Ongoing Hunting Threats
Hunting has played a significant role in the tamaraw's decline. Historically, both subsistence and sport hunting decimated their numbers. While stricter regulations were implemented before World War II, a growing human population, increased access to firearms, and the expansion of logging and ranching activities dramatically reduced tamaraw populations.
Although sport hunting has decreased due to population decline and conservation efforts, illegal hunting for meat remains a major threat.
Limited Dispersal and Modern Challenges
The remaining tamaraw populations face a new challenge – lack of space. Human pressure and development have restricted their ability to disperse and expand their range. Natural corridors crucial for movement and population growth are disappearing.
While traditional hunting by indigenous communities is not the primary threat, it can cause injuries and disturbances to the tamaraw. Growing human populations within their remaining habitat further complicate conservation efforts.
Tamaraw Conservation
ZSL works with our in- country partner, an in-country NGO, the D’ABOVILLE Foundation and Demo Farm Inc, to support the conservation of the species. Specifically, we are supporting the protection of tamaraw from poaching and hunting and using decision science to lay out the options to the Philippine government for the long term species conservation.