THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

FOREWORD
“Abstract of Researches on the Philippine Water Buffalo”
is an initial output of the current effort of the Philippine Carabao Center
to develop a book on the “Biology of the Philippine Water Buffalo”.
The book project had long been conceptualized and discussed several
times in the past until it was finally initiated with the searching and
gathering of information materials as preliminary activities. Dr. Eufrocina
P. Atabay, PCC senior science research specialist, was assigned as
project coordinator.
A team of research scientists and experts were tapped to work
on key areas of the proposed book as well as on the different parts of the
present book. Dr. Ceferino P. Maala, a well-known veterinary anatomist
from the College of Veterinary Medicine, UPLB, who had done numerous
research works on the anatomy of Philippine water buffaloes, served as
team leader. The other team members were: Dr. Elito F. Landicho, a
distinguished faculty and researcher also from the CVM, UPLB, and a
recognized figure in the field of veterinary physiology and health; Dr.
Arnel N. del Barrio, center director, PCC at University of the Philippines
Los Baños, an expert on animal nutrition; and Dr. Annabelle S. Sarabia,
center director at West Visayas State University, an expert on water
buffalo reproduction.
This compilation of research abstracts presents information
related to the biology of the Philippine Carabao and identifies the extent
of research conducted essentially on the key areas of anatomy,
physiology and its behavioral characteristics. This also helps in
identifying knowledge and information gaps which, in effect, define
research strategies to generate the needed data for the completion of
the book that will aptly describe the distinct features of the Philippine
water buffalo.
LIBERTADO C. CRUZ
Executive Director, PCC