In the 1950s, the goal was to dry the Hula swamps to combat malaria and create much-needed agricultural land. More recently, the need has been recognized to balance this approach with the opportunity to recreate the rich ecosystem that once flourished in the region and to develop eco-tourism and other economic projects appropriate for the twenty-first century.

Before the Hula area was drained, the most notable mammal inhabitant was undoubtedly the herbivorous water buffalo, known by its Arabic name jamus. Historically, the water buffalo were a hallmark feature of this area. The local Bedouin population used the buffalo both for their milk and meat.
KKL-JNF is now reintroducing a breeding stock of buffalo into the area.
From the KKL site.