ONEIDA, Wis. (WFRV) A turned-off water supply is being blamed for the death of 25 buffalo. The deaths happened throughout the week on the Oneida Farm -- owned and operated by the Oneida Nation.
A neighbor living near this pasture called Oneida Police on Tuesday. 18 dead buffalo were scattered across the field. "They started looking at the animals and surroundings. That's when they discovered the water had been turned off," explains Enterprise Division Director of the Oneida Tribe Michelle Doxtator.
A veterinarian confirmed the animals died of dehydration. Doxtator says workers checked water pumps last week Thursday, but not during the holiday weekend. "On Wednesday, three more [buffalo] had passed away and two were euthanized because they weren't going to survive."
Doxtator says buffalo in captivity can only survive 48 hours without water. This week's hot weather didn't help: 25 animals perished including calves and bulls. "The animals are animals they knew. They had names. They were loved and now they're gone. If it was intentional or not, it doesn't change anything. They are still gone."
