Mouse deer facing extinction

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The population of mouse deers in the province has drastically dropped due to rampant hunting of the animal, sparking fears that the now rare species will completely vanish in the near future.

There were thousands of mouse deer, locally known as pelanduk, found in mountainous areas across the province in the 1980s, but after two decades the animal is rarely sighted.

The market value of a kilogram of mouse deer is between Rp 35,000 (US$38) and Rp 40,000.

Locals said that in Kotabaru regency, between 10 and 20 mouse deers were killed for consumption every week. The hunt usually takes place at night.

Kotabaru regent Sjachrani Mataja warned of the extinction of the endangered species if the hunting continued. The governor visited several places which in the past was home to the animal, and called for a joint movement to protect the species.

"I want restrictions on mouse deer hunting for local residents here," the regent said. -- JP