Muntjac may live on in Kalimantan

Muntjac may live on in Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The highly threatened yellow muntjac (muntiacus atherodes) is still believed to roam East and South Kalimantan forests.

A field survey conducted by the non-governmental organization Kompas found two yellow muntjacs were trapped and killed last July and August in the Sultan Adam forest in South Kalimantan, Antara reported. Some homes near the forests still bear the animal's horns as decoration.

The yellow muntjac is an endemic species to Kalimantan. It is related to the Bawean deer (Axis kuhli) and Javanese deer.

The survey called on the government to protect the yellow muntjac from extinction. No population numbers on the animal were disclosed.