Lowland anoa  (Bubalus depressicornis)

The population of this buffalo has declined significantly. The major threats are hunting and habitat loss, which is occurring in Sulawesi due to the draining of marshland, agricultural development and logging (1). Anoas are hunted for their desirable meat which is sold in local markets. In addition, the skull and the horns are made into trophies, souvenirs, and used in traditional medicine (4).

The threats of hunting and habitat loss go hand in hand, for as the forests are opened up for development, the wildlife in the forest becomes more accessible to poachers (2). The increase in the availability of weapons has also made the extent of hunting much greater (2). The lowland anoa has retreated into more remote areas of the forest due to these threats (1).

Sulawesi’s forests have the highest level of mammal endemism in Asia, and there are several conservation programmes underway on the island (7). The lowland anoa is fully protected under Indonesian law, though there is concern that this is not enforced well enough, as hunting continues even inside protected reserves (1). This water buffalo does occur in several protected areas on the island but, unlike many wild cattle of Southeast Asia, this species depends mainly on undisturbed forest (1).

There are a number of lowland anoa held in captivity, though the breeding programme has been greatly hindered by confusion surrounding this species’ classification (1). At present, genetic and morphological studies are underway, which will hopefully clarify this issue and allow breeding programmes to develop (1). This species is considered endangered by the IUCN and will face extinction in the wild in the near future unless hunting is controlled and the Sulawesi forests are protected from further development (1) (4).