Buffalo Patrol: How Water Buffaloes Keep the Peace on Brazil’s Marajó Island

On Brazil’s Marajó Island, in the small town of Soure, the police force operates unlike anywhere else. During the rainy season, large parts of the island become flooded and mired in mud, rendering patrol cars and even horses useless. To overcome this challenge, local military police officers saddle up on a more fitting, local mode of transport: the water buffalo.

Originally imported from Asia and established on the island in the 1990s, these powerful animals have become an icon of Marajó. With hooves perfectly suited for muddy terrain and the ability to swim through tangled mangrove swamps, they can reach places where no other vehicle or animal dares to go. The police created this unique unit to ensure law enforcement could remain effective in the most challenging and inaccessible parts of the island.

For locals, these buffaloes are more than just a tool for law enforcement; they are an integral part of the community, a living tradition, and a symbol of the island. The close bond between the officers and their animals, and the way they are woven into daily life, gives the island its unique identity. On Marajó, the long arm of the law has horns, and the sight of police officers on buffalo patrol is a testament to the island’s unique and resilient character.

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Source: Times

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