Buffalo believed to be Vietnam’s oldest dies at 40+ years old

The grey water buffalo, owned by 34-year-old farmer Dao Van Tung in Tan An Commune, Nghe An Province, was believed to be the oldest in Vietnam.

Images of the animal shared on social media recently drew fascination and affection from Vietnamese netizens.

Tung said his family bought the buffalo in 2003 for VND7.5 million (US$285) from another farmer, who said at the time the animal was already nearly 20 years old.

“It helped my family through difficult years and contributed a lot to our livelihood, so we’ve always treated it like a friend,” Tung told Tuoi Tre News.

The buffalo worked in rice farming until 2016, when the family stopped cultivating their fields and allowed it to rest.

Over its lifetime with Tung’s family, it gave birth to 12 calves.

The buffalo had grown frail in recent months and died, he said.

The family buried it in their garden.

Veterinary experts say domesticated Asian water buffaloes typically live about 15-20 years, though those well cared for can survive longer.

Most do not reach their maximum lifespan due to disease, poor conditions, or slaughter for meat.