Million-dollar buffalo attracts spectators in Hyderabad

Backward curving horns, a smooth grey-black hairless body and a slim, strong tail, name Yuvraj, the buffalo - is a sight to behold.

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Reared in Kurukshetra, this hefty beast has travelled hundreds of milesto Hyderabad for an animal show, claiming attention from visitors he is not shy of.

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Weighing more than 1000 kilograms, Yuvraj, standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches, has been named after cricketer Yuvraj Singh, invokes curiosity among those who throng to watch him.

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"He is huge, both in height and weight, he has a very nice colour too. I have never seen a bull like this before," said a spectator, Chandana.

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Worth about 70 million rupees, Yuvraj is also the most pampered albeit prized possession of his master and farmer, Karamvir Singh, who owns a herd of two dozen cows and buffaloes.

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He says Yuvraj is a unique gift of god, who earns money by winning state-sponsored buffalo and livestock contests across the country.

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"He has 20 kilograms of milk, large quantities of apples and dry fruits every day. In the winter, he occasionally consumes a peg of liquor. He has been awarded Best Animal in many shows. Any calves born with his help give around 14 litres of milk in the first lactation. People from far and near gather outside my house everyday to see him," said Singh.

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Singh says he spends 3,000-5,000 rupees a day on Yuvraj. The beast is also given oil massages everyday, his attendants trim his hair to ensure he is in perfect shape.

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Yuvraj's semen is also possibly the most expensive in India at up to 350 rupees a dose. Singh says he earns about 8 million rupees a year just from Yuvraj's semen.

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Singh says he treats the buffalo like his son. He claimed to have spent around 500,000 rupees to transport him from Kurukshetra to Hyderabad for the show.