In the far north of Brazil lies Marajó- a sprawling island where the mighty Amazon River kisses the Atlantic Ocean. Roughly the size of Switzerland, this region has developed one of the world’s most unusual law enforcement systems, police officers riding Asian water buffaloes instead of patrol cars or horses. A recent Reuters post sparked curiosity as to why officers were seen riding a buffalo.

How Buffaloes became a part of Marajo

Though native to India and parts of Southeast Asia, Asian water buffaloes have thrived on Marajó for more than a century. Their exact origin remains debated- some stories tell of a shipwreck, while others claim they arrived with travelers from French Guiana. What’s undeniable today is their dominance: over 500,000 buffaloes now roam the island, outnumbering th

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