5,000 rare deer killed by hunters

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: At least 5,000 of East Kalimantan's rare deer locally known as Rusa Sambar were illegally hunted and killed last year, an official said on Monday.

Munif Muchsinin from the province's animal husbandry office called on the local administration and police to clamp down on illegal hunting by seizing traditional handmade guns from local residents.

Police have confiscated more than 1,000 homemade guns believed to be used to hunt the deer, whose average weight of about 200 kilograms is the heaviest of its species.

A number of local restaurants include the deer meat on their menues. The price of the venison in local markets is about Rp 20,000 per kilogram, Antara reported. (jun)