More than 30 buffaloes owned by the family of teenager Muhammad Syukur Khamis, whose photos with the animals earned him the moniker "Malaysian Mowgli", have perished.

According to Harian Metro, at least 38 of the 110 buffaloes reared by Khamis Jusoh, has died since last Wednesday, causing losses of about RM200,000.

A check by the daily revealed the carcasses of animals strewn across the livestock farm at the family home in Kampung Banggol Katong in Kuala Terengganu.

"First, one buffalo died last Wednesday without showing any clear signs of illness.

"Then on Friday, two more died, followed by four and 11 on Saturday, and Sunday. So far today, 10 have died and we expect more to perish," Muhammad Syukur, 15, told the daily when met.

"My father worries the most as this is the first time such a thing is happening, and he is concerned all his buffaloes will die.

"My favourite buffaloes, Samek and Along, are safe so far as they have been vaccinated," said the teenager.

Berita Harian reported that the buffaloes' cause of death have been attributed to Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), an acute bacterial disease of cattle and buffaloes which usually occurs during monsoon.

Last year, Muhammad Syukur became a viral sensation after his photos depicting his bond and love for his father’s buffaloes went viral on social media.

Photographer Mohd Nazri Sulaiman, who captured Muhammad Syukur's bond with the animals, clinched the grand prize (Street/People category) at the Asian Geographic: Images of Asia 2018 awards last November for the photo.

Besides, his photo was also selected to be on display at the Austrian Cultural Forum in Rome, Italy, and earned Nazri the Remarkable Award at the 2018 Siena International Photography Award in Italy.

Muhammad Syukur also became a global attraction, when many foreign photographers started visiting his family farm to capture his photo with the animals.


Source: Harian Metro, Berita Harian
Photo source: Rojakdaily, Harian Metro