Save the Water Buffalo of Lantau

I had to break my silence to voice my opinion on this community disaster.

Three water buffalo have been killed! (see www.lantaulink.com) One water buffalo gored a tourist on the beach. As a result, there have been some people using this single incident to make a case to destroy all the water buffalo/cows on Lantau. This would be a terrible mistake.

There is a serious problem with people not understanding how to act in this type of rural environment. Efforts have to be made for people to understand how intrinsic the water buffalo are to Lantau--they have co-existed peacefully for years with the residents here. Residents and tourists alike view them as part of Lantau life. These creatures are not to be petted, ridden, provoked or taunted! We need to give them the respect that they deserve and continue to work at a peaceful co-existence.