Lowland Anoa

Maximum longevity: 36.1 years (captivity) Observations: These animals can live up to 36.1 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).

The lowland anoa was widely distributed throughout northern Sulawesi in 1900. The several reasons for the drastic decline in the lowland anoa population include hunting and the expansion of settlement, which has resulted in logging activities, as well as clearing of forested areas and draining of marshland for agriculture. The current lowland anoa population is estimated to be approximately 5000 animals. The number of wild lowland anoas is still decreasing as illegal hunting continues and humans continue to populate its range. Ongoing research efforts by zoos, including the St. Louis Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington, continue to support a captive breeding program for lowland anoas. As of 1995, 110 Bubalus depressicornis were in captivity. (O'Brien and Kinnaird, 1996; Huffman, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001; Pangau, 2001)

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered

Adult lowland anoas do not have any predators (except humans). However, infant anoas are preyed upon by pythons (Python reticulatus or Python molurus) and the endemic civet (Macrogalidia musschembroekii). (Anonymous, 2001)

Known Predators:

• reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus)
• Sulawesi palm civets (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii)
• Indian pythons (Python molurus)

Juvenile lowland anoas are covered with thick, wooly, yellowish brown hair. Adults are characterized by thick, black skin, and are only sparsely covered with brown to blackish hair. They also have white or yellowish-white hair on their forelegs, and sometimes on their throat and nape. Lowland anoas have a stocky body with the hindquarters slightly higher than the shoulders and a long tail averaging 40 cm in length. Adults stand at an average shoulder height of 86cm. The horns of an adult are triangular in section, flattened and wrinkled. The horns begin at the forehead and point diagonally backwards. Males have horns averaging 30cm in length, and females have horns that average 25cm in length. Anoas are very efficient at crashing through forest undergrowth, with the horns being held close to the back in order to avoid being tangled. (Parker, 1990; Huffman, 1999; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001)

Range mass: 90 to 225 kg.

Average length: 180 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Lowland anoas have been documented to live as long as 31 years in captivity. However, the maximum lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years. (Jones, 1993; Anonymous 2001)

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 20 (high) years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 31 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 30.0 years.

The lowland anoa prefers undisturbed lowland forested areas and swamps. Shaded areas are preferred to escape from daytime temperatures. (Parker, 1990; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001)

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Wetlands: swamp

Bubalus depressicornis is found exclusively in the northern region of the Indonesian island of Celebes, which is also called Sulawesi. (Parker, 1990; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001)

Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Lowland anoas are herbivorous. Wild anoas are known to feed on aquatic plants, ferns, grasses, saplings, fallen fruit, palm, and ginger. In addition, they have been recorded to drink sea water which is thought to fulfill their mineral needs in areas that do not have salt licks or mineral spring water. Captive anoas are fed a diet of hay and herbivore pellets. (Parker, 1990; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001)

Plant Foods: leaves; fruit

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore , Frugivore )

The lowland anoa controls forest understory growth by feeding on understory grasses and plants. (Parker, 1990; Huffman, 1999; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001)

Anoas are hunted because of their desirable meat which is still sold in local markets. In addition, the skull and

the horns are made into trophies or souvenirs. The horns have traditional value for medicinal purposes. Despite the fact that anoas are protected, local people still pursue illegal hunting not only in unprotected forests but also in conservation areas. Local hunters generally use snares, spears or dogs to kill anoas. (Melisch, 1995; Pangau, 2001)

Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material; source of medicine or drug

Wild lowland anoas can be very aggressive toward humans, especially young male anoas and female anoas with offspring. Several accounts of this species of anoa attacking humans with its sharp horns have been recorded. (Anonymous, 2001)

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

Several lowland anoa fatalities have occured in zoos as a result of attempts to keep these solitary animals in pairs or groups; typically the larger animals have disembowelled their counterparts with their horns. (Huffman, 1999)

Lowland anoas are not known to have a breeding season. Both females and males become sexually mature at approximately 2 years of age. The female has a gestation period that lasts from 275 to 315 days. Females will usually go off alone during calving. Although a female can give birth to twins, typically only one offspring is born. Weaning occurs at a time period of 6 to 9 months after birth. Females typically reproduce annually. (Parker, 1990; Huffman, 1999; Nowak, 1999; Anonymous, 2001; Massicot, 2001)

Breeding season: year round

Range number of offspring: 1 (low) .

Average number of offspring: 1.

Range gestation period: 9.17 to 10.5 months.

Range weaning age: 6 to 9 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal )

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.

Generally, exclusively the female cares for the young.

Parental Investment: female parental care ; post-independence association with parents

This small water buffalo is herbivorous and feeds on aquatic plants, ferns, grasses, saplings, fallen fruit, palm, and ginger (5). Like other water buffalo this species wallows and bathes in pools of water and mud, and drinks from salt licks, pools of mineral spring water or from sea water in order to obtain minerals (1). Lowland anoas are usually solitary, though mother and daughter pairs are common and small groups of up to five individuals have been recorded (6). Research indicates that males are territorial as they have been observed marking trees with their horns and scratching the soil after urinating (6). Breeding occurs throughout the year and, after a gestation period of 275-315 days, females give birth to a single offspring (2)(5).

Sulawesi's forests have the highest level of mammal endemism in Asia, and there are several conservation programmes underway on the island (7). The lowland anoa is fully protected under Indonesian law, though there is concern that this is not enforced well enough, as hunting continues even inside protected reserves (1). This water buffalo does occur in several protected areas on the island but, unlike many wild cattle of Southeast Asia, this species depends mainly on undisturbed forest (1). There are a number of lowland anoa held in captivity, though the breeding programme has been greatly hindered by confusion surrounding this species' classification (1). At present, genetic and morphological studies are underway, which will hopefully clarify this issue and allow breeding programmes to develop (1). This species is considered endangered by the IUCN and will face extinction in the wild in the near future unless hunting is controlled and the Sulawesi forests are protected from further development (1) (4).

This small water buffalo is found in Indonesia (2). Indeed, 'anoa' is the Sulawesi word for 'buffalo'. This species is characterised by its stocky body and thick, dark skin which is darker in males than females (4). The body is sparsely covered with brown to blackish hair and the forelegs bear white or yellowish white hair. The nape and throat are also a pale yellow-white colour (4). Adults bear horns that point backwards and are flat and wrinkled (2). Males' horns grow to about 30 cm in length, while females' horns are slightly smaller at about 25 cm (in length) (6). Juveniles are brown in colour with a woolly coat which is lost as they mature (2).

As its name suggests this species inhabits lowland forests. It also occurs in swampy areas and in the past was recorded from coastal areas (1). Lowland anoa are also found in mountainous areas at high elevations (1).

This species is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where its range extends for about 5,000 km² (2).

Classified as Endangered (EN C1+2a) on the IUCN Red List 2003 (1) and listed on Appendix I of CITES (3).

The population of this buffalo has declined significantly. The major threats are hunting and habitat loss, which is occurring in Sulawesi due to the draining of marshland, agricultural development and logging (1). Anoas are hunted for their desirable meat which is sold in local markets. In addition, the skull and the horns are made into trophies, souvenirs, and used in traditional medicine (4). The threats of hunting and habitat loss go hand in hand, for as the forests are opened up for development, the wildlife in the forest becomes more accessible to poachers (2). The increase in the availability of weapons has also made the extent of hunting much greater (2). The lowland anoa has retreated into more remote areas of the forest due to these threats (1).

Anoa lowland (Bubalus depressicornis) adalah hewan herbivora dan memakan tumbuhan air, paku-pakuan, rumput, tunas pohon, buah-buahan jatuh, pohon palem, dan jahe. Seperti halnya kerbau air lainnya, spesies ini juga berkubang dan mandi di kolam air maupun lumpur, dan meminum dari sumber garam, genangan dari sumber mata air atau dari air laut merupakan cara lain untuk mendapatkan mineral. Anoa lowland pada umumnya hidup secara soliter atau terpencil, meskipun induk dan saudaranya berpasangan merupakan keadaan yang biasa dan berkelompok kecil yang terdiri dari lima individu yang dilaporkan. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jantan merupakan hewan yang hidup di daerah daratan telah diamati dalam mengejar sasaran dengan tanduknya dan mengarukkan tanah setelah mebuang air kecil. Proses perkawinan terjadi sepanjang tahun dan setelah proses kahamilan selama periode dari 275 sampai 315 hari, betina melahirkan ketururan pertamanya.

The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is a species of buffalo endemic to Sulawesi. Its closest relative is the mountain anoa, and it is still a debate as to whether the two are the same species or not. It is also related to the water buffalo, and both are classified in the genus Bubalus.