Photographer David Hancock’s 30-year journey documenting Australia’s wild buffalo

Ever since the buffalo was introduced to Australia nearly 200 years ago, its relationship with the land has been a complicated one.

Small herds were imported from Asia by the British in the early 19th century, as a food source.

However, when colonists abandoned their northern settlement on Cobourg Peninsula in 1849, those herds were released into the wild.

An aerial view of a herd of buffalo bathing in a billabong with orange water, surrounded by green shubbery, on a sunny day.
Springs are especially susceptible due to lack of water flow.(Supplied: David Hancock)

The colony was the third failed attempt at colonisation of the Northern Territory’s Top End, where the British had hoped to gain control of Dutch trading routes.

Disease, malnutrition and cyclones made it too challenging.

While the harsh conditions were too much for colonists, the rugged savannas and wetlands of Arnhem Land – with similar climates of Timor and Indonesia – proved perfect for the buffalo.

An estimated feral population of nearly 200,000 can be now be found across the entire northern-most half of the Northern Territory.

A water buffalo standing in green reeds by the side of a billabong, on a sunny day.
The vast wetlands of north-west Arnhem Land are a perfect habitat for buffalo.(Supplied: David Hancock)

New beginnings in an ancient land

For photographer David Hancock, his connection with the wild buffalo of Northern Australia began in the 1970s, during the cattle industry’s push towards a live export trade.

Posted , updated 

Kenneth Proto

Next Post

New Jersey arts and entertainment news, features, and event previews.

Sun May 29 , 2022
News | Functions | PREVIEWS | Situations By Izzy Bonvini originally revealed: 05/29/2022   The Art of Un-War is Maria Niro’s gorgeous documentary tribute to the everyday living and functions of Krzysztof Wodiczko, a prolific anti-war artist.  The movie will be available for streaming globally on Friday, June 3 by […]
New Jersey arts and entertainment news, features, and event previews.

You May Like