This research communication validates an algorithm to monitor natural occurrence of locomotor behaviours in dairy Mediterranean buffalo based on the output of a 3-dimensional accelerometer (RumiWatch®, pedometer). Several characteristics of the locomotor behaviour were detected with a very high (up-right, lying and standing time) or high degree of correlation (walking time and number of strides) and a low mean difference with the video recording. The proportion of correctly detected events exceeded 99 % for the following variables: stand up and lie down events, as well as number of lying, standing or walking bouts. The mean relative measurement error was less than 10 % for the variables: lying, standing, up-right times and number of strides as compared with gold standard. This new algorithm may represent the base for a future early and real-time disease warning system aiming to gain higher health standard in these ruminants.
Keywords: Accelerometer; dairy Mediterranean buffalo; lameness; walking behaviour; welfare.