Bubalus Mindorensis, endemic and locally known as Tamaraw in Mindoro province is now considered as critically endangered species which is less than 300 in numbers today from thousands in 1900.
The tamaraw are almost similar to carabao (Bubalus Bubalis), although the size is smaller, denser hair from dark brown to grayish in color, has light markings on its face, very wild and has a shorter and V-shaped horns contratry to carabao with long and C-shaped horns. The mature Tamaraw has weight of about 300 kg with height of about one meter.
The tamaraw are largely solitary with male and female associate with each other only few hours at most. The life span is only 20-25 years and give a single offspring after a conception period of 276-315 days with interbirth interval of 2 years. The calf stayed with his mother within 2-4 years before becoming independent.
They are typically found in thick brush in tropical highland forested areas not far from water sources, feeding mostly on grass and observed before as diurnal, however, the settling of more people in Mindoro tends this animal to become nocturnal to escape from humans.
Today, the tamaraw are found only in the mountainous portions of Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mt. Calavite, Mt. Halcon-Eagle Pass, Mt. Aruyan-Sablayan-Mapalad Valley, and Mt. Bansud-Bongabong-Mansalay.
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