C. Sulawesi animals under protection

C. Sulawesi animals under protection

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi's Natural Resources
Conservation Center (BKSDA) intends to intensify efforts in
trying to protect 19 animal species in the area from becoming
endangered.

The numbers of many of the 19 species have been dwindling,
like the dwarf buffalo, the center's chief, Edy Purwanto, said
yesterday.

He attributed the decreasing population of the dwarf buffalo
to the fact that more people had been poaching the animal near
the Lore Lindu National Park for its meat.

According to Antara, the 19 animal species include the
Sulawesi crested black macaque (macaca nigra), phalanger
(phalanger ursinus), digo macaque (macaca tonkeana), tarsius
(tarsius spectrum), Sulawesi phalanger (phalanger celebensis),
Sulawesi civet (macrogalidia musschenbrocki), and dare macaque
(macaca maura).

They are protected under Law No 5/1990.

Among the efforts that will be employed is better monitoring
and information dissemination on the importance of protecting
these animals. (mds)