Manado – The Mountain Anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) and Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) are suspected to no longer exist in several natural reserves in North Sulawesi.

“The animals could no longer be found in Tangkoko Natural Reserve and Manembo-nembo Animal Sanctuary. In Gunung Ambang Natural Reserve only footprints were found, but we’ve never seen the animal again,” said functional officer for the Forest Ecosystem Control of North Sulawesi Province Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Willy Noor Effendi, in Manado this weekend.

Anoas and Babirusas were last found in late 1990s. Their main habitat was Nantu Natural Reserve in Gorontalo province.

“So besides Gunung Ambang Natural Reserve, we can almost conclude that both endemic species in North Sulawesi is almost extinct. Even in Gunung Ambang, only the Mountain Anoa is left. We no longer see the Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressiocornis),” he said.

Willy said, one distinct characteristic of the animals is self isolation. If their habitat is disturbed, the animals move further away.

”There is damage to the forest which serves as a habitat for both animals. Satellite imaging depicts tight vegetation, but if we go to ground level, there are many traces of destruction within the forest,” he said.

Besides suffering due to forest exploitation, the animals are also hunted by people for food. (ANT-305|Aditia Maruli)

Source : Media Indonesia