KUALA TERENGGANU: More than 30 buffaloes belonging to Muhammad Syukur Khamis, better known as Malaysia Mowgli, were found dead since last Wednesday.
The youngster known for his unique bond with the animals on his father's farm made headlines and captured hearts last year.
The 15-year-old is puzzled over the mysterious death of the water buffaloes which were found dead at the farm in Kampung Banggol Katong.
"At first, only one buffalo died on Wednesday. There was no sign of sickness and we thought it was caused by some usual disease.
"But the next day, another died before two more on Friday followed by four buffaloes and 11 more on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
"Just today, 10 more died and we expected that about five (deaths) were caused by the same sickness," he told NSTP when met at the farm here today.
Syukur said he and his family were devastated over the death of their buffaloes from their 50-year-old family-owned farm.
"The buffaloes were raised by us, of course, it makes us sad. This was especially my father, Khamis Jusoh, he is the most affected by the situation.
"This is the first time it happened for us and we fear that all the buffaloes will eventually die.
"My two favourite buffaloes, Samek and Along, however, are still in good health and have been vaccinated for preventive measures," he said.
Meanwhile, Khamis, 64, said the family has yet to find the real cause that led to the sudden death of his buffaloes.
He said the buffaloes only displayed flu symptoms and did not show any signs of illnesses before their death.
"There is a possibility that the animals died due to haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS)".
Khamis said the sudden death of his buffaloes has left him facing an estimated RM300,000 loss.
The curious death of the buffalos was shared by a Facebook user Dallah Deen and the photos have since gone viral on the social platform.
Meanwhile, the Terengganu Veterinary Department (JPV) has confirmed that the buffaloes died of HS.
Its director Dr Mohd Termizi Ghazali said based on the condition in which the buffaloes died it was confirmed to be HS.
He said the HS disease began in August but died down temporarily and reoccured on Sept 12.
"I had reminded farmers to inject their livestock with HS preventive vaccines.
"Unfortunately not all farmers complied with the instructions and in the end, they suffered losses," he said. Termizi said the first HS outbreak was initially detected in Kampung Tumang Jerong, Marang.
"The first HS case was detected on Aug 9 involving the death of 22 buffaloes and 15 cattle and the last death was recorded on Aug 28.
"JPV began HS vaccination on Aug 30 on 675 cattle and 58 buffaloes belonging to 106 farmers in 12 villages.
"On Sept 12, there was a fresh HS outbreak in Kampung Banggol Peradong which caused the death of seven buffaloes," he said.
He hoped that all breeders would be patient and comply with the instructions issued by JPV in dealing with the HS outbreak.
Termiz said this included restricting the movement of livestock, cattle and buffalo, to other areas.
"Also limit arrival of livestock trucks into the farm."
He said JPV had also barred HS afflicted livestock from affected areas to be transported out to other areas.