Commission approves water-buffalo performance for county event after safety and veterinary assurances

The Alachua County Commission approved a request June 2 to allow a Wild West performance that includes two water buffalo and several performing horses at the Alachua County Agricultural and Equestrian Center, after hearing testimony from the events organizers and facility managers.

Dr. Corey Cheval, who identified himself as executive director of the Gainesville Circus Center, said the production will feature two water buffalo named Banjo and Harley along with 10 performing horses and that the animals are stabled on pasture with veterinarian oversight. "There are two water buffalos and 10 performing horses in the show," he told the board, adding that the buffalo owners keep the animals on a 20-acre ranch with pasture and pond access and that a personal veterinarian would attend the event. He said the buffalos main act lasts about three minutes and that the animals would be given long rest periods between appearances.

Agricultural Center staff and facility managers said their main concern was containment in the covered arena, noting the existing track rail is a relatively light plastic rail used for horse shows and might not contain a large animal if it got loose. "What we have around the covered arena where this performance would be is basically track rail, which is a flimsy plastic track rail.... Not knowing anything about these animals ... we just have concerns that if one were to get loose, the track rail that's there could not really contain them," the facility manager said.

Cheval and organizers responded that the animals are experienced performing animals, have performed in crowded environments and have been awarded for their act; they also said trainers and veterinarians will be present and the county could hire additional veterinary support if desired.

After discussion the board voted to approve the activity. The motion was announced carried unanimously on the record.