White buffaloes Kaamatan draw
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025
Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025
By: R Gonzales Text Size: Many assume they are albinos due to their colouring, but they are actually white buffaloes, which are rarely seen in this country. KIULU: A pair of white buffaloes captured the attention of visitors at the 2025 Tuaran District-level Kaamatan Festival held in Pekan Kiulu on Tuesday. The exhibition booth, managed by the Sabah Veterinary Services Department, was among the most visited from as early as 7am. A visitor, Walter Samon, 42, said it was his first time seeing white buffaloes. 'In addition to their white fur, the buffaloes had pink skin and black-red eyes, which made them stand out from ordinary buffaloes we usually see,' he said. 'Their tame nature also made it easy for visitors to pet and pose for photos with them,' he added. Civil servant Nursyazlin Baharuddin, 36, originally from Kedah, was also delighted to bring her two children, aged 4 and 7, to see the animals. 'Since settling in Sabah the past nine years, this is the first time our family has seen white buffaloes. 'Previously, the children had only seen regular buffaloes in passing, as they are a common sight near paddy fields in our village back in Kedah. Tuaran Veterinary Services Department Research Officer Madsah Laudin said the white buffaloes were bred at the department's farm in Telupid, with the original breed imported from Australia in the early 2000s. 'Many assume they are albinos due to their colouring, but they are actually white buffaloes, which are rarely seen in this country,' he said. The Kaamatan Festival, which attracted over 1,000 visitors, also featured various highlights, including the Unduk Ngadau pageant, traditional games and sports, local cuisine as well as cultural dances and songs of the Kadazandusun community. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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