Mouse deer facing extinction

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