Buffalo reserve

The Kápolnapuszta buffalo reserve is a reserve located in Kápolnapuszta, between Zalakomár and Balatonmagyaród in Zala County, which aims to preserve the genetic stock of the Hungarian water buffalo and to present the species. The reserve has the largest population of water buffalo in Hungary. In addition to buffalo, the reserve also keeps grey cattle.

The area of the reserve near Zalakomár was a farmstead of a large landowner until 1945, where extensive livestock farming was carried out. After the Second World War, the estate was distributed to the local population. Later, the state farm of Kapolnapusta was established. However, the number of animals decreased significantly from the 1960's. By the 1980's, the livestock population had also declined and the buildings and stables on the site were demolished.

The area was purchased in 1992 by the Central Transdanubian Nature Conservation Directorate, the predecessor of the current Lake Balaton Upland National Park. In the purchased area, the national park started keeping buffaloes and grey cattle.

The buffaloes were transferred from the Nagykanizsa State Farm to the buffalo reserve in 1992. The buffaloes, which were kept in large numbers on large estates in the area, were collected by the Nagykanizsa farm after the Second World War.

The buffalo are kept outdoors in the summer and in barns in the winter, where they live on feed. Due to the lifestyle of the water buffalo, they are tethered within the reserve. In addition to the 250 or so buffaloes, the reserve also has a herd of grey cattle. The reserve also houses small exhibitions on the wildlife of Lake Balaton and the history of buffalo keeping in Hungary.