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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:50 pm
by kerrensimmonds
'Never argue with a man carrying a water buffalo'

Anyone see this piece of news today ?
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire. ... plate.html

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:06 pm
by Ajarn Philip
I have a few points to make here, (not sure how many at this stage, so forgive me if I don't specify. It's been a long, hard day and a few beers may have been partaken of...), all of which will undoubtedly be most serious. Any light-hearted reponses will be frowned upon.

1. How on earth did you pick this out?

2. What was the water buffalo doing in a field in Cumbria in the first place? Doesn't that strike anyone as being in the least bit curious? There have been a number of buffalonappings reported here recently.

3. Why was the poor thing's demise mentioned only after the whiplash and other minor injuries to the people that killed the poor buger? (sorry, two 'g's result in an awful lot of asterisks that make no sense at all)

4. What if I'd been carrying him at the time? (This probably should have been Point 1.)

5. Would someone please get me another beer?

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:19 pm
by kerrensimmonds
Yes, alas poor Bill (Shakespeare).
Tiscali has an 'oddly enough' news page which I browse from time to time. See the other items down the right hand side......
The buffalo connection was too good to keep to myself.
Enjoy the beers....
Kerren

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:40 pm
by Katharine
Phil, there are quite a few herds of water buffalo in this country now. The meat is supposed to be lower in cholesterol than beef and better for you. I think you can also buy cheese but I don't think I have seen milk or cream on sale here.

In Islamabad we could get buffalo milk delivered by the in two classes adulterated or unadulterated!! We used powdered milk, the boys were tiny then.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:43 pm
by Ajarn Philip
I'd go for the adulterated every time, whatever it was delivered in!

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:24 pm
by AndrewH
Katharine wrote:........ I think you can also buy cheese .............
The best Mozzarella is made (at least in part) from water buffalo milk.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:39 pm
by Katharine
AndrewH wrote:
Katharine wrote:........ I think you can also buy cheese .............
The best Mozzarella is made (at least in part) from water buffalo milk.
I know Mozzarella is made from it, but I am not sure whether it is yet made from British buffalo milk, whereas I have eaten and enjoyed British buffalo meat.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:28 pm
by blondie95
the news story was on the bbc and had me in hysterics for a few minutes

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:19 pm
by kerrensimmonds
Oh Amy.... how could you laugh at the death of anyone, let alone William Shakespeare (albeit a Water Buffalo version)?
And that poor lad having to be cut out of his Punto. I bet the experience will scar him for life.
I am sorry to display my ignorance, but can someone tell me what the difference is between a Water Buffalo and a Buffalo... .... ? And do they both produce Mozzarella.. (which I love, with tomatoes and basil.....)?

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:42 pm
by AndrewH
Katharine wrote:
AndrewH wrote:
Katharine wrote:........ I think you can also buy cheese .............
The best Mozzarella is made (at least in part) from water buffalo milk.
I know Mozzarella is made from it, but I am not sure whether it is yet made from British buffalo milk, whereas I have eaten and enjoyed British buffalo meat.
Apparently you can
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jh ... eese10.xml

Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:44 am
by Angela Woodford
I got led astray by "Austrian lived with dead aunt for a year" :shock:

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:59 pm
by J.R.
The buffalo is recognised as one of the most dangerous animals in the world.

Apparently they kill more people per year than crocs, alligators, and snakes.

I'm surprised you are allowed to keep them in the UK without holding a dangerous animals licence !

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:10 pm
by kerrensimmonds
I wonder if you are getting muddled up with hippos, JR? I only ask cos. friends who regularly visit S Africa safari parks have told me that it's hippos of which they have to be the most careful. But you may be right! Poor Bill did quite some damage to a Punto....
I gather that Water Buffalo are bred in this country - I learned yesterday its partly because of their grazing habits. They are environmentally more sound than e.g. sheep or cows because they eat everything in the areas where they are kept - not just the grass etc. that they like - so there is no need to go in afterwards and do more clearing up. They keep everything 'under control'. And as Katherine says they are bred for their meat and their milk, as well.

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:18 pm
by J.R.
If memory serves, the Hippo is the No 1 killer, and the water buffalo is No 2.

I know that when the Hippo's are out of their night quarters at Woburn, keepers always keep at least 300 yards from them. Very unpredictable and can run at well over 30 m.p.h.