At least 161,250 buffalo are roaming wild across the Top End and the population is on the rise, according to new research.
Buffalo are a big issue for those managing land in the Top End, causing extensive damage to natural waterholes, destroying wetlands and spreading weeds.
Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) has collated data from both NT Government and private wildlife aerial surveys to provide the estimate of buffalo numbers across 225,000 square kilometres.
TNRM's Susanne Casanova said areas where there was no feral animal control in place stood out in the surveys.
"Where we know of management programs that are in place, we are seeing lower buffalo densities," Ms Casanova said.
"Where there is sporadic management or no management, then you are getting up to higher densities of around one animal per square kilometre."
The natural increase of the feral population has been estimated at around 27,000 head per year, exceeding the amount of buffalo harvested by musterers or culled by rangers.
The majority of buffalo — about 126,000 head — are found in woodland areas, while about 35,250 head live on floodplains.
Exports not keeping up with natural increase
For the past five years between 3,000 and 9,000 feral buffalo have been exported to South East Asia, many of which have been harvested from the wild by contract musterers.
There are also sporadic culls are conducted in Kakadu National Park and on Aboriginal land by ranger groups.
Despite these efforts, the buffalo population is still on the rise.
The president of the NT Buffalo Industry Council (NTBIC), Ian Bradford, said demand from South East Asia for NT buffalo was easily outstripping the industry's ability to supply the animals.
"The orders are there constantly, it is just a matter of having the animals supplied to fill them," he said.
With the majority of feral buffalo found on Aboriginal land, Mr Bradford said the NTBIC was continuing to work with the Northern Land Council (NLC) to improve access for mustering crews.
"I think the focus for the next 12 months will be the co-ordination between the NLC, the buffalo council and the contractors to get the animals," Mr Bradford said.
"There are animals there, they need to be managed correctly, and the welfare of the animals [is important].
"Then we need to start working to fill the orders that are there."
Failed wet seasons may impact numbers
While wild harvesting and culls may not be impacting buffalo numbers, a succession of poor wet seasons may lead to a reduction in the population.
"We have had a really dry year, and if there is no rain in the near future, that may actually start to decrease the population," Ms Casanova said.
"I think animals are starting to struggle if they are getting stuck in those areas where they have taken all the feed off and they might start dying.
"It might be that there might not be a lot of increase next year but then the year after, when perhaps it rains better, then it increases again."
