World’s smallest buffalo born at zoo weighs just 15 lbs

By Adam Dutton

The world's smallest buffalo has been born at a UK zoo standing just 50 cm tall - the same height as a traffic cone.

Mentari, a rare anoa dwarf buffalo, weighed just 7 kg (15 lbs) when she was born at Chester Zoo.

Mom Darcy gave birth to the highly endangered newborn on June 27 after a 10-month pregnancy.

But the tiny arrival - who is smaller than the average dog - could weigh up to 300 kg (47 st) and stand a metre tall when fully grown.

Adorable pictures show the calf taking her first steps while being watched by proud mom Darcy.

Emma Evison, Team Manager at the zoo, said: "Mom Darcy and her new baby are doing brilliantly.

"After spending her first couple of weeks bonding with mom in the safety of their cozy den, the little one has grown in strength and confidence and is now beginning to explore the outside world.

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"She's already showing plenty of personality and seeing her take those first steps outside is a real privilege - it's something very few people will ever get the chance to witness.

"Every anoa birth is hugely important for the future of this endangered species."

Only 2,500 anoa are thought to be remaining in the wild, and the species is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Lowland anoa are found in the forests and swamps of a single Indonesian island, Sulawesi, and their numbers are dwindling thanks to poachers and habit loss.

The species is considered the smallest buffalo, while wild water buffalo are four times bigger at 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and weighing up to 1,200 kg.

Chester Zoo is also part of a wider global partnership working to secure a future for anoas.

Amy Humphreys, South East Asia field conservationist, said: "Our aim is to make sure the precious genetic diversity of these amazing animals is not lost forever.

"To do this, our plans include scientific monitoring of anoas, new local education programmes in Indonesia, raising global awareness of the threats anoas face, and coordinating conservation breeding programs.

"This new calf, born as part of that international effort, will now go on to play an important role in protecting the future of her species."