African buffalo live in large, complex herds that provide protection and social structure, but herd welfare is threatened by disease, habitat fragmentation, and culling programs.
Buffalo welfare is inseparable from herd integrity. Mass culling for disease control removes socially important individuals and can collapse herd structure, leaving survivors without experienced leaders. Habitat fragmentation prevents seasonal movements that historically allowed herds to avoid over-grazed areas and disease hotspots. Fence encounters cause injury and trap animals in areas with depleted forage. Translocation of buffalo for restocking or disease management involves significant capture stress and should use helicopter-free, boma-based methods where possible. Positive welfare in buffalo is associated with access to wallowing sites for thermoregulation and parasite control, adequate forage diversity, and stable social groups with experienced matriarchs.