Rare white Toda buffalo calf highlights need for breed conservation records
Researchers have reported a suspected case of albinism in a Toda buffalo calf and called for systematic genetic and population records. The endangered breed is endemic to the Nilgiris and closely linked to the Toda community’s pastoral traditions, but its recorded population has fallen from more than 2,100 about 150 years ago to fewer than 1,000.
A suspected case of albinism in a Toda buffalo calf has prompted researchers to call for systematic documentation of the endangered breed’s remaining population and unusual physical traits. The unusual white pigmentation was observed in a calf at Sholur near Udhagamandalam in 2022. The animal later died, preventing the researchers from conducting molecular analysis.
Their paper, titled “A rare white coat pigmentation anomaly record of Toda buffalo calf from The Nilgiri plateau”, was published in an open-access scientific publication. Toda buffaloes are domestic water buffaloes endemic to the Nilgiris and closely associated with the Toda tribe, whose traditional pastoral life is centred on buffalo husbandry. Researchers described the breed as adapted to high-altitude montane grasslands, with features including a compact body, chevron markings and crescent-shaped horns.
The paper said the population had declined from more than 2,100 individuals around 150 years ago to fewer than 1,000 in an enumeration conducted in 2023. The researchers said the restricted and declining population warranted closer attention to genetic and physical diversity. They cautioned that a single observation could not establish whether the pigmentation was linked to inbreeding, genetic deterioration or reduced population viability.
However, they said it demonstrated the value of recording unusual traits for future conservation work. The authors recommended population-level genetic screening, pedigree documentation and reproductive monitoring. Such information could help determine whether rare pigmentation patterns occur within the breed and support decisions about conservation management.
Arockianathan Samson, the paper’s lead author, said the breed’s limited distribution and declining numbers made systematic documentation urgent. He called for genetic screening and monitoring of reproduction and pedigrees to support the long-term conservation of the Toda buffalo.
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