CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOWLAND ANOA (Bubalus depressicornis) IN SULAWESI

Abdul Haris Mustari(1), Peter Jarman(2)

(1) Department of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism, Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University, PO Box 168, Bogor 16001, E-mail: haris.anoa@yahoo.com (2) Division of Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

ABSTRACT

Conservation issues related to anoas include illegal hunting, illegal logging and cutting of trees, rattan collecting and forest encroachment. Management recommendations should aim to conserve anoas in their natural habitats. This in-situ conservation will benefit not only the target species or genus but also all species of wildlife inhabiting the same rain forest. Gazetting areas of remaining suitable habitats of anoas is needed, particularly areas of lowland rain forests that have the highest pressure from people’s activities, such as converting the forests into settlements and plantations or others anthropogenic environments. Stricter law enforcement should be imposed and the Indonesian Environmental Act (Republik Indonesia 1990) should be applied in order to stop illegal hunting and illegal logging; the authorities should apply the law and punish people or groups convicted of breaking the law. Increasing awareness of the people is one of the keys for conserving the endemic species and their habitats. Anoa in Tanjung Amolengo were only seen more than 1 km from the settlement and roads indicating that the animals avoid forests near this settlement and any anthropogenic environment. Settlement on the boundary of a conserved area will reduce the capacity of that reserve to support anoas. Thus, settlements on the boundary of reserves should be avoided.