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. 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…