This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/05/water-buffalo-kills-man-and-injures-two-others-in-south-wales
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Water buffalo kills man and injures two others in south Wales | Water buffalo kills man and injures two others in south Wales |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Two men and woman were attacked by the animal in Monmouthshire | Two men and woman were attacked by the animal in Monmouthshire |
| A 57-year-old man has died and two people have been injured after being attacked by a water buffalo in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales, police have said. | |
| The man was pronounced dead at the scene, a farm near the the town of Usk, while a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital with critical injuries and a 22-year-old woman suffered a serious leg wound. The buffalo was put down. | |
| Neighbours expressed shock at the tragedy, which happened at around 2.50pm on Tuesday when the animal went on the rampage. | |
| Police did not spell out exactly where the incident took place but one farm in the area keeps a herd of Mediterranean water buffalo to make soap. There was no answer from the farmon Tuesday night. | |
| A neighbouring farmer said he had been told that the buffalo went on the rampage. He said: “The first I knew of it was when I saw the police helicopter and the air ambulance buzzing around. | |
| “Some people do try to diversify and keep water buffalo, usually for their milk,” he said. “It’s a huge shock to everyone in the area.” | |
| County councillor Val Smith said: “It’s a lovely quiet area, lots of smallholdings and small farms. This is a dreadful thing to happen. My sympathies to all involved.” | |
| A statement from Gwent police said: “We received a report of an incident at a commercial property in Gwehelog, at around 2.50pm on Tuesday, after two men and a woman were attacked by a water buffalo. | |
| “A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales Ambulance Service. | “A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales Ambulance Service. |
| “A 19-year-old man from the Gwehelog area sustained critical injuries during the incident. He has been taken to the University hospital for Wales for treatment by the Welsh Air Ambulance. | “A 19-year-old man from the Gwehelog area sustained critical injuries during the incident. He has been taken to the University hospital for Wales for treatment by the Welsh Air Ambulance. |
| “A 22-year-old woman from the Gwehelog area sustained a serious injury to her leg. Her injuries are not thought to be critical and she has been taken to the Royal Gwent hospital for treatment. | |
| “The water buffalo has been destroyed. Officers received assistance from the National Police Air Service at the scene.” | “The water buffalo has been destroyed. Officers received assistance from the National Police Air Service at the scene.” |
| It is believed that armed police also attended the scene. | |
| The richness of water buffalo milk makes it a popular ingredient in products ranging from mozzarella to ice cream. | |
| Water buffalo are sometimes also introduced as part of conservation projects and have grazed since 2002 on the Teifi Marshes in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. | |
| The Wildlife Trust of south and west Wales said that usually they posed no risk to humans. “Given their size, water buffalo are generally intelligent docile creatures, who respond well to gentle handling,” it said. | |
| Water buffalo are one of the world’s oldest livestock breeds. They were recorded in India and north Africa by around 600AD. |