The last of the Buffalo.
 

In one way I trust that the reason being given for moving the Buffalo from public access is a true one, in another isn't it sad that once again a very few (possibly not even Village residents) have made it neccessary to take away what was, for our family and I am sure many others, a symbol of TV and its encompassing of the natural order of things. These are the types of unsocial, selfish persons that they used to put in the stocks on the village green for all to see and deluge with rotten tomatoes etc!! If only -------! One can only hope that these few (and their legal tutoring team) have many sleepless nights and years of regret of depleting their community of a rare opportunity to see a little nature up close. One can also hope that the Developer might contemplate a way to reverse this decision.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

:agree:

Well said Killick....I truly hope the Developer listens to all the feedback he will no doubt get on this topic and try to find a workable solution.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I was very upset upon reading in The Daily Sun that they are going to move the buffalo away from public access since there are currently three litigation claims. I would bet those three people did something to provoke the buffalo. People forget these are wild animals. I can't imagine where they will be moved or how they will be moved, but I do know they will be missed.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I hope the courts throw these suits out the door. The buffs, like the gators, are wild. People should not put themselves at risk. Of course realizing that the Developer has deep pockets may be the reason some people put themselves in harm's way. Just a thought.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

:'( What a shame! The place won't be the same without the Buffs. All because of a few idiots!
Perhaps the powers that be will get enough feedback to change that decision....Possible?

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I am truly upset about the decision to remove the buffalo from public view---as I am sure thousands of people will be. I have fed the buffalo on occasion but do so with utmost caution as they are wild animals and I have sense enough to know that. I also realize that if I am injured while doing so---it will be my fault--certainly not the buffalo's or The Villages. Frivilous lawsuits and the lawyers who handle them create so many problems in our country. Don't know what the answer is and don't know if we can do anything about this decision.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I'm glad that we got a chance to view them up close before they are moved. It's sad that my eventual grandchildren won't have the chance to see them. BUT...

I'm not a lawyer but anytime you PLACE wild animals in with humans they are not in their natural habitat. The people with the lawsuits may be stupid in their interactions with the animals but unfortunately the lawsuits are probably not frivolous if the parties were actually injured in some way. Remember at some point these type of issues will be settled by the insurance that we homeowners are paying into a common association fee and not by the deep pocket developer's insurance. I live in an HOA development here in MA and we need to be vigilant on negligence issues as well as we have common HOA insurance paid by all homeowners.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

A couple years ago I witnessed up close a women who was standing by the fence looking at the buffalo. The buffalo all of a sudden put his head over the fence and she jumped back and fell. She kept yelling that the buffalo had pushed her over. No way had the buffalo touched her.
I too think we should keep the buffalo. I also undrstand the problem with lawsuits. Such a shame.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I agree. I've seen people hang on the fence and even hold the little ones up for a close touch of the huge buffalo! Article in the paper today was right on, signs are not enough, who reads the postings? This will be a loss for all of us and our family's that come to visit. When my brother first came over to visit he was so impressed seeing the buffalo he told his wife, "This is where I want to move to."

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Russ, while the suits may not be frivolous the acts that caused these " litiginous injuries " were probably self stupidity or ignorance --- is that the same as "accidental"? We and our grandchildren have fed the TV Buffalo many times, we have camped in many National Parks where the Buffalo walked through the campsites, have hiked and shared trails with wild Buffalo but never saw aggressive behaviour toward a human --- doesn't mean it hasn't or cannot happen, just means, in our experience, that it would have to be provoked. It isn't as though these are "predatory" wild animals. However the fact remains we have perfectly sane people amongst us who lack all common sense and have to blame something or someone other than themselves for all of their misfortunes. I understand that the Villages already knew that any Buffalo over five years of age gets a little testy and so they traded their herd to maintain a juvenile one.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I hear you Killi but you and I and all of TOTV are not going to change the trial lawyers lobby's hold on legislation. I know it may be a ruse to blame the liability and maybe the developer just wants the land but the legal threat could be legit. They (the Morse's nor the CDD's) are not experts in the zoo business and that is what the lawyers will claim (and will win if not settled by the insurance company).

Yes people are stupid but we pay off stupid people everyday in the civil court system.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I have already written a Letter to the Editor with copy to Mark Morse pleading with him/them to reconsider moving the buffalo's. Let's do everything and anything we can to keep them in view. I think that with 70,000 population not counting visitors and 3 suits is not a good enough ratio to hide our mascots.
Maybe a sign like Persons injured by buffalo will get a $5,000 fine, with make more people cautious.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

To bad a few people are sue happy.Any claim for a few free dollars
drd

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Maybe "frivilous" was a poor choice of words. What I meant was that alot of people refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. They are always looking for someone to blame when all they need to do is look in the mirror.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

The Daily Sun reports that there are currently three buffalo litigation claims. So the buffalo have to be sent away to protect the residents. If the Developer truly wants to keep the buffalo, he will listen to the residents and provide a barrier between folks and the buffalo! A double fence with electric fencing would do the trick. (Electric fences give a light shock which is unpleasant but not dangerous). And more signs to further reduce his liability.

Makes me wonder if the Developer wants to claim back the buffalo fields for a more profitable use. Which he is totally within his rights to do. And is taking this opportunity to announce the buffalo are being moved to isolation. This way the Developer deflects the anger of residents onto "the stupid people who caused the buffalo to be moved" and not at the Developer. Hope this isn't the case.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Which fence is electrified? the inner one for the Buffs or the outer one for the stupids

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Ha! Good one, Chuck :bigthumbsup: 1rnfl

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

It sounds like that same old story of a few who ruin it for the rest of us.

:(

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Poor Mr. Schwartz' idea for special place to live is disappearing bit by bit.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I'm so disappointed that they are being moved. We haven't been there long enough to enjoy them on a regular basis or show our grandchildren what the buffalo look like. Why not double fence the area. One fence where it currently is located and one about 20 feet further in so that people can't get near the herd. The buffalo are part of what we like in TV.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Things were fine when folks just stopped by to look and take photos. Then some decided they had to climb onto the fence to get a closer look or, to be in same photo as the Buffaloes. Then there were those who thought the poor beasts weren't being fed properly who had to show up at fence holding apples, carrots and you name it.

Some folks just had to push the envelope, ignore the posted waring signs and once injured now have to sue.

So now they think the developer is the bad guy. Why couldn't these people just have learned to follow the warnings?

Just takes a few I want mine and it's all for me, to ruin things for everyone else.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I'm saddened to read that the buffalo are to be moved as a result of the stupidity and greed of a few individuals. Who could be that idiotic as to place their body or parts thereof over the fence and expect a wild animal, who is normally very territorial, and extremely territorial when protecting a calf, to do nothing untoward?
Why initiate a law suit? The buffalo where being buffalo.....and the people involved were being a different kind of critter, i.e. JACKASSES.
I hope for two things:
1. That the courts dismisses what I believe is a frivolous lawsuit.
2. That Mark Morse finds some way to still exhibit the buffalo....without exposing himself to this kind of legal abuse.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

:agree: My words exactly. I have gone by people who are stopped on the cart path almost standing in the buffalo's face. Some times these same people have their small grandchildren on their shoulders. There are signs at every area where the buffalo roam(ok, so that was a groaner)so what part don't these people get. Maybe they have never seen a buffalo. I will miss seeing them as well. I hope that whatever judge presides over the lawsuits, that he makes these :jokers pay for court costs, & then have the bailiff throws them out on their behinds. Whew, I'm glad I got that off my chest or I'd be awake all night stewing. ;)

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I vote for the outer one.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I had always wanted a "Home where the Buffalo roam" and had one for a while. I urge that the Buffalo be kept visible in The Villages. If that isn't possible, maybe the school mascot should be changes from a "Buffalo" to a "Litigator" !!!!!!!!!!!! Ain't that a crock !!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Better fences make good neighbors, even for critters.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Yes, The Villages are changing....... first we have golf clubs pilfered from carts and then the carts themselves and then some people who think Walt Disney showed a true picture of animals living in the wild (Bambi, etc.) ........ ( ??? :edit:maybe little Emily doesn't have to pet the nice buffalo) ........ now we are handed suers( it was funny on the old Bob Newhart show) but it looses something real life in TheVillages ...........
HELP SAVE OUR BUFFALO, yeah some of us do care javascript:void(0);

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Barefoot: The electric fence is a good idea if it's on the human side, the buffalo really don't need it.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

MnGirl, I totally agree. I was suggesting the electric fence on the human side to discourage the idiots from approaching the buffalo (since obviously idiots don't read the signs). Buffs aren't cute little bunnies, they are animals to respect.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Buffalo are amenities ????

Use some of the amenities $$$ and build a fence within a fence to keep them back from the people that enjoy them.

Dennis

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

How about Mr. Morse putting the names of the people who have filed the lawsuits and what the lawsuits are for in The Daily Sun? We heard that one is simply for the buffalo "scaring" someone's grandchild...no injuries. Supposedly, the child was feeding a carrot to a baby buffalo and the mother ran up and pushed the baby away. The child jumped back and started screaming/crying. Mother animals are very protective. So....let's hear about this lawsuit....is that the true reason for the suit? If it is, how pathetic. Money-hungry, sorry examples of human beings. Mr. Morse, make an example of them by publishing their names and where they live !

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

We've been out of town for 2 weeks. Just can't imagine driving down Buena Vista and not seeing the buffalo. I know they don't officially belong to the folks of TV, but I consider them part of what I call home.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I too am upset with the decision to move the Buffalo. I have to agree with Sam. I feel there are some among us who would use any reason to sue the developer due to their own stupidity. Most would use common sense. The Buffalo are wild creatures and can be admired from a safe distance, but there are the idiots...

Happy I was able to see them before they are moved--and the babies too.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I couldn't agree with you more, golfer2000. But the chances of Mr. Morse publishing that info are few and none. That doesn't mean someone with the knowledge of the court system couldn't get those names and publish them on "this" venue. I, for one, would LOVE to know who these people are. To hear that these morons are putting their young in harms way is very disturbing. Animals without a whole lot of intelligence are smart enough to PROTECT their young...not put them in harms way. And then to blame others for their stupidity is repulsive. I'd be willing to bet that these people were able to buy in TV not because of their accomplishments in life, but because they have been successful in previous lawsuits brought on by their stupidity. These people are nothing more than parasites and they should be identified as such. So, if you have the ability to bring these names to light, I'm sure there are many of us who would love to have that information.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Bravo!! Bravo!! :agree: Dam parasites! I hope the charges are reversed and the sue'ers are charged and fined for their ignorant actions!! Mama Buffalo is a good mama. Child mama? IGNORANT PARASITE!

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

I agree with Sam on the Developer's "Deep Pockets". I'm sure that was the basis for the law suits.

I doubt very much that the buffalo jumped the fence and attacked these indiduals.
If you haven't sense enough to not get that close to the fence, shame on you. You deserve what you get. Hopefully, the law suits will be thrown out.

I think its interesting that the buffalo are still featured on the updated website.

We can only hope they will be back one day.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

It might be a good idea for the permanent residents of TV to find out who the litigants are and shun them. They definitely are chipping away at the veneer of TV and pretty soon paradise won't be paradise. I once saw a woman dumping parts of left over pizza and cantaloupe rinds over the fence to the buffalo. Her explanation was "if they will eat it, I'll give to them". The original paradise got messed up with a snake and apple - now it's buffalo and carrots. Go figure.
Protect what you love and moved there for. Drive out the ignorant jerks who always seem to slither up.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

???These suits should be a matter of public record. Is anyone going out there to find out who the people who belong on the annual Darwin's list might be?

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Anyone who's taken LAW101 in college knows about the ladder industry. Have you ever taken the time to read all the warnings on the side of a new ladder? Each and every one of them was the result of a lawsuit that, at the time, was considered frivolous by the manufacturer. Should we know the names of the person who filed the first lawsuit about not using a ladder near telephone wires? Who knew that a telephone wire could be as deadly as an electrical wire? The buffalo thing was cute (OK not the animal itself) but let's remember that WE own the whole campus (eventually though the CDD's) and as a result WE are the ones being sued. Last time i checked the people running the CDD's are not trained as zoo keepers. It is a slam dunk for a decent lawyer and a 'hurt' client. I think we should be thankful that the litigation is relatively small and WE have removed the legal negligence from our campus. It was a unigue idea but one whose time had run out.

(And by WE I mean TV homeowners that I hope to become someday)

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Russ,

Well, yes and no.... I believe all the areas where the Buffalo were grazing are owned by the Developer.... being held for future development. I don't believe any of the areas are part of the overall resident-owned CDDs.

Re: The last of the Buffalo.
 

Thanks for the clarification V7 - I think I was really thinking about the eventual day when the CDD's owned everything except the business properties.