Not many are aware that Tamil Nadu has its own indigenous breed of buffalo that is raised by the Toda tribes in the Nilgiris. The milk of the buffalo — known as the Toda buffalo — is known for its high fat content and can be reared at a very low cost. It has adaptive qualities that make it resistant to diseases and enables it to withstand extreme climate. The breed, however, is an endangered one with numbers less than 2000. 'Animal Genetic Resources of Tamil Nadu', a coffee table book published by the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) documents many such details on the local breeds of livestock and dogs found in Tamil Nadu. The book documents five indigenous breeds of cattle, a breed of buffalo, 14 breeds of sheep/goats and four breeds of dogs....................Read more

Source: The Times of India