REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- Anoa population in Mamasa district of West Sulawesi continues to be hunted for food by community. Anoa is also known as midget buffalo, a subgenus of Bubalus comprising two species native to Indonesia, namely the mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) and the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis).
"The mountain anoa habitat is endangered, but people keep hunted them for food," one of resident in Aralle district, Darwis said on Monday.
Anoa population needs government attention. It is an endemic species found only in Sulawesi. Anoa has pointy horns that reach 30 cm in length, which is included mammals that have single nails. The wild animal is protected by government and Law.
According to Darwis, the goat-like animal once ever has high population as it becomes an icon of region. It was easily found in mountains of West Sulawesi. It is hard to find the animal right now as they are in endangered status.
Anoa has been classified as endangered species since the 1960s, and the population continues to decrease. Hunting becomes serious factor in most areas, besides the loss of habitat due to the advancement of settlement.