REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, in cooperation with the Indonesian Zoos Association, is globally preserving the endangered species of hog deer, Javanese bull, and dwarf buffalo (anoa) by involving several countries.

"We are targeting to increase the population of all three endemic Indonesian species by 10 percent within a period of five years," Secretary General of Natural Resources and Ecosystems Conservation Novianto Bambang stated here on Monday.

He said the government had set a target to increase the population of three of the 25 endangered species of hog deer, Javanese bull, and anoa by 10 percent in the next five years.

The conservation of the three endemic species is being carried out globally by involving several zoos from numerous countries: the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA); the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), North America; International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC); the Asian Wild Cattle IUCN SSC Specialist Group (AWCSG); and the Wild Pig IUCN SSC Specialist Group (WPSG).

"Indonesia cannot work alone, and we are part of a global society. Conservation is carried out through mutual learning gained from those who are successful in ex-situ conservation," Novianto explained.

According to Novianto, the Indonesian endemic wildlife population is declining. Currently, there are only some 1.5 thousand Javanese bull, and they can be mostly found in the Ujung Kulon National Park in East Java province. The anoa population is only about 700, spread across South and North Sulawesi, as well as hog deer, which numbers at 700.

Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian Zoos Tony Sumampau shed light on the 62 botanical gardens in Indonesia, 56 of which have been incorporated as members of the zoo association. Of the aforementioned figure, only 11 botanical gardens have been successful in conserving the three endangered species.

"Five botanical gardens are involved in the conservation of the Javanese bull, three botanical gardens are preserving the hog deer, and three others are conserving anoa, in addition to four national parks and five conservation offices," he revealed.

Sumampau stated that since 2013, the Cisarua Safari Park had been carrying out a breeding program for the Javanese bull, and now, the population has reached 30.

"The breeding of anoa is also carried out through artificial insemination, and the process has led to the birth of nine calves," he added.

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