Manado Forestry Research Institute (Manado, 16/11/2015) _In order to increase the Anoa (dwarf buffalo/ Bubalus depressicornis and Bubalus quarlesi) population, an endemic species of Sulawesi and Buton island that now included into Appendix I of CITES, the Manado Forestry Research Institute had drafted the 2016 to 2036 Roadmap of Anoa Study Center. The roadmap that initiated by the Manado Forestry Research Institute, consists of five conservation programs which involved various parties in the activities of  Anoa Breeding, Rehabilitation and Release Center, establishing cooperation with conservation institutions, domestication and save the Anoa awareness raising campaign.

"The successful breeding of Anoa in the breeding institution is expected to contribute in increasing number of Anoa population, both outside and at their natural habitat," said Diah Irawati Dwi Arini, S.Hut., M.Sc., researcher of Manado Forestry Research Institute, on behalf of the 2016-2036 Roadmap of Anoa Study Center's Drafting Team.

Ir. Adi Susmianto, M.Sc., who represent the Director General of The Research, Development and Innovation Agency, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in his speech when opened the Discussion of the roadmap of Anoa Study Center and Anoa Forum at Quality Hotel Manado, on Thursday (12/11),  appreciated the initiative of the Manado Forestry Research Institute in carrying-out Anoa conservation activities by establishing "Anoa Breeding Center" which was formally opened by the Minister of Environment and Forestry in February 2015.

"Ex-situ conservation in the form of breeding center is a concrete effort that being carried-out to save the Anoa from extinction," said Ir. Adi Susmianto, M.Sc. Further, Ir. Adi Susmianto, M.Sc., also reminded the participants that Anoa has an important role in conserving the forest ecosystem by helping the spreading-out of some Sulawesi's native plant species so that the regeneration can take place.

"Therefore, the existence of Anoa is very important in maintaining the sustainability of tropical forests in Sulawesi," explained Ir. Adi Susmianto, M.Sc.

In order to enrich and support the discussion of the roadmap, two speakers from the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) were invited, they are Dr.Ir. Abdul Haris Mustari, M.Sc from the Department of Conservation of Forest Resources, Faculty of Forestry and Dr. DVM. Yudi, M.Si from  the Division of Reproductive and Midwifery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The discussion and review had brought valuable inputs that were significant for the improvement of the Roadmap of Anoa Study Centers. These valuable inputs were given by a number of Anoa observers, such as  Michael Sumampow of Indonesian Zoos Association, Prof.Dr. Gono Semiadi of Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Ir. Elhayat Labiro, M.Si (University Tadulako of Palu), as well as others Anoa observers from universities, NGOs, community leaders and other invitees.

Besides discussed the Roadmap of Anoa Study Center,  the Anoa Observer Forum was also established in this event. The team that mandated to appoint the board members of Anoa Observer Forum had successfully completed their task by appointed the Chairman of the Forum, Regional representatives (North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi and South Sulawesi), and Awareness Raising Committee consisting of community leaders.

"The idea behind the  ​establishment of public awareness committee was to raise the awareness of the general public in conservation of the Anoa and to make the public proud of Anoa," said Ir. Muh. Abidin, M.Si, The Head of Manado Forestry Research Institue.

On the second day, Friday (13/11) a field visit to the Anoa enclosure at Manado Forestry Research Institute was organized. The field visit activities was opened with the presentation of Manado Forestry Research Institute's profile and the research activities that have been conducted by the institute. Following the presentation, an explanation about Anoa Breeding Center and its activities was given. The Anoa breeding center of Manado Forestry Research Institute was formally opened by the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Dr.Ir. Siti Nurbaya, M.Sc., in February 2015.

Until recently, the number of Anoa that being care in the enclosure of Manado Forestry Research Institute's Anoa Breeding Center are six anoa, in which 2 are males and  4 are females.

In ex-situ conservation efforts, animal welfare must be given top priority. Therefore, Anoa's enclosure facility had been constructed from 2012 at the Manado Forestry Research Institute as the starting point of ex-situ conservation. Today, the enclosure facilities that available in the center are six individual cages, in which each cages equipped with feeding and drinking facilities, puddles and shelter.

In accordance to Indonesian Law, Anoa has been protected since 1931. Internationally, Anoa had categorized as Endangered Species in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) put Anoa into in Appendix I, which means these animals are threatened and restricted  from all forms of international commercial trade.

Various efforts have been made to save Anoa from extinction. In 2010,  The Ministry of Forestry declared fourteen endangered species as conservation top priorities. North Sulawesi Province in particular, has four endangered wildlife that their populations are in critical need to be increased. These endangered wildlife are: Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis and Bubalus quarlesi), Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) and Yaki (Macaca nigra), which all of them are endemic species to Sulawesi.***Rinto Hidayat

Source: http://www.balithut-manado.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=297:rapat-pembahasan-roadmap-anoa

Photo: Hendra Susanto Mokodompit & Harwiyaddin Kama