19.07.2026 11:10
Shepherd Saddam Yaprak, who grazes water buffalo for the first time in Erzurum, said he was initially surprised by how long the buffalo stayed in the water and thought, "Is their breath enough?" Yaprak stated that over time, he learned this is a natural behavior for buffalo to cool down, protect themselves from pests, and relax.
Shepherd Saddam Yaprak, who has grazed cattle and sheep in Erzurum for years, took charge of a buffalo herd for the first time this year. Yaprak, who was greatly astonished to see buffaloes that did not leave the water for hours, learned over time that this was a part of the natural life of buffaloes.
TOOK CHARGE OF A BUFFALO HERD FOR THE FIRST TIME
Saddam Yaprak, who works as a shepherd in the Söğütlü neighborhood of Aziziye district in Erzurum, stated that he has grazed cattle and sheep for about 8 years and this year, for the first time, he started working with a herd of 88 buffaloes.
THOUGHT "IS THEIR BREATH ENOUGH?"
Yaprak, who explained that he initially could not understand why buffaloes stayed in muddy water for hours during the summer heat, said, "At first, I was very surprised. I was astonished that they stayed in the water for so long, constantly plunging their heads in and out. I would wonder, 'Is their breath enough?' Over time, we got used to it."
THEY COOL OFF AND PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM PESTS
Yaprak, noting that buffaloes cleanse themselves of lice and other pests by entering the water, said that mud baths also help the animals relieve stress. Yaprak, who stated that buffaloes stay in the water for sometimes 2 and sometimes 4 hours depending on the air temperature, expressed that they spend most of the day in the water.
"WATER IS LIFE FOR BUFFALOES"
Yaprak, who said that buffaloes especially prefer muddy water, said, "They say water is life, and for them, it truly is. Water is life for buffaloes. They graze for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. The rest of the day they spend in the water."