This Buffalo Isn’t Hurting the Turtle, It’s Savings Its Life!

Some animals are capable of extraordinary things. This video, reposted by @animalsblessourday, went viral as people admired the compassion between a water buffalo and a turtle. In the video, the water buffalo flips the turtle over, seemingly saving him from certain death. But is this common behavior, or did the water buffalo happen to see a reptile in need?

Water Buffalos Are Gentle Giants

This video could potentially show the true nature of a domesticated water buffalo. They’re known to be gentle, docile, and friendly. Water buffalos are more unpredictable in the wild due to their unfamiliarity with humans. Water buffalos in captivity like this one become familiar with their handlers and onlookers, making them far more laid-back.

Expert studies have shown that water buffaloes even build friendships within their herds. Their ability to create bonds with fellow buffaloes proves they’re capable of compassion toward other animals. In this instance, the other animal happened to be a turtle. While it’s entirely unknown how the water buffalo sensed this turtle was in dire straits, the behavior of the buffalo is not uncommon.

Some Animals Can Sense a Struggle

It’s a widely accepted belief that certain animals can sense danger. The biggest evidence for this has been found in animals’ behavior just before natural disasters. While a turtle stuck on its back certainly isn’t as extreme, this water buffalo may still sense its struggle. There’s also evidence to support that some animals pick up on changes in their environments. It would be easy to call this a “sixth sense,” but it’s actually evolution that accounts for an animal’s ability to sense the flux. In this case, the turtle may have succumbed to dehydration or heatstroke had it been left on its back.

Interestingly enough, what water buffalo lack in their sight is made up for by their exceptional hearing. They can even turn their ears toward sounds to better understand where it’s coming from. It’s unclear if this buffalo heard the turtle struggling, but its heightened senses may account for its helpful instinct. This water buffalo’s sense of hearing also undoubtedly picked up on the people cheering for it. We may never know whether its reaction at the end was one of elation or pride, but it is more fun to think of it that way.