The Water Buffalo is a large ungulate and a member of the bovine subfamily. The wild Arni still survives in the wild in India, Bhutan, Vietnam and Thailand. The domestication of the water buffalo is prominent in Asia, South America. They are feral in northern Australia. Wild-living populations also exist in much of Southeast Asia. They may be descendants of wild Water Buffalo, formerly domesticated ferals or a mixture. In Asia, the population of wild water buffalo has become sparse, and it is feared that no pure-bred wild water buffalo exists.
Buffaloes, apart from their use as draught (see also draught horse) and milch animals, are also used to pull bullock carts in developing world. Their dung is used as a fertilizer and as a fuel when dried. In Chonburi, Thailand, and in South Malabar Region in Kerala, India, there are annual water buffalo races. A few have also found use as pack animals carrying loads even for special forces.