Buffaloes bring back fond memories
Last year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) removed 12 water buffaloes from Lantau.
They were removed following a complaint that the buffaloes were a threat to public safety and destroying villagers' crops.
But some residents were angry at the AFCD.
In my opinion, if the buffaloes really are a threat to public safety, their removal is necessary. It won't affect others in the herd.
Removing old, injured or aggressive buffaloes will protect Lantau residents. The remaining buffaloes will also be better off.
KAREN LO
Our Lady of the Rosary College Thanks for your letter, Karen. I was thinking about just this issue over the weekend. I hiked out to Tai Long Wan, and we saw a lot of cattle on the beach. They were very friendly, just sitting on the beach munching the grass. Although I don't doubt that there have been problems on Lantau with the animals becoming occasionally aggressive.
There are about 1,100 strays in Yuen Long, Sai Kung and on Lantau. What I like about the cattle is that they are a reminder of Hong Kong's much more rural past. It wasn't so long ago that these cattle were working cattle. As a child, I remember watching the water buffaloes plough the rice paddies on Lantau.
Kate, Editor
