Tamaraws are found only on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. "Mindoro dwarf buffalos," as they are also known, also once inhabited the Philippine island of Luzon, according to fossil evidence. The name "Tamaraw" actually comes from the language of the people living on the island of Luzon. 

Though tamaraws have a smaller stature compared with other bovid species, they are still the Philippines' largest native land animal. Compared with domestic water buffalos, they are stockier and their horns grow in a V shape rather than a C shape. That's why they are recognized as a unique species, not a sub-species of domestic water buffalo.

Tamaraws are solitary animals in the forest. Males and females only meet during the breeding season from December to May, which is also the dry season. After about 276 to 315 days, females will give birth to baby tamaraws in the wet season, when fresh food is plentiful. The calves are reddish-brown when they are born and slowly turn dark brown or black as they grow up. They usually leave their mums at the age of 2 to 4 years.

Due to habitat loss and diseases, tamaraws are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. In April 2019, there were between 466 and 494 tamaraws on Mindoro.

Happy 'Niu' Year

February 12 marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox. Niu means "ox" in Chinese, but it can also mean "very impressive." In Chinese, the character niu is also a part of the names of animals other than the ox. In this series, CGTN goes over interesting facts about animals with the character niu in their names.

(Cover image and infographic designed by CGTN's Li Jingjie)

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