MAMMALS SECTION

LOWLAND ANOA

ABOUT

Lowland Anoas are miniature water buffalo. They are found only on the island of Sulawesi in the northern part of Indonesia. Lowland Anoas are one of the least studied of all endangered species. The main reason that Lowland Anoas are endangered is due to its small limited ranges being over-populated by humans. Also, too much hunting has decreased the number of wild Lowland Anoas. Hunters generally use snares, spears or dogs to kill Lowland Anoas, or set fires to trap them. Anoa meat is used for local consumption. The wild number of Lowland Anoas is unknown. As of 1995, 110 Lowland Anoas were in captivity. Unfortunately, Lowland Anoas are not easy to breed in captivity.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Lowland Anoa lives in shaded, swampy, lowland forests. This particular species of Anoa weighs between 200-500 pounds (90-225 kg). Anoas that live in the wild live to be between 15 and 20 years old. Those that live at the zoo have lived up to the age of 28. The diet of an Anoa is different in the zoo than in the wild. In the wild these animals eat grasses, ferns, palm, ginger and fallen fruit. In the zoo they eat hay and special herbivore (vegetarian) pellets. One of the most unusual things about Anoas is that they have no known breeding season. The gestation period (length of time in their mother’s womb) is 275-315 days. Twins are rarely born to these animals.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What is the main reason for the Lowland Anoa being endangered? a. Too much Hunting b. Over-population of people in its limited ranges. c. Being eaten by its prey. d. Drowning due to intense flooding in the area.

Answer is B.