Poaching rife in SE Sulawesi

Poaching rife in SE Sulawesi

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Angered by reports about the
poaching of endangered animals, Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin has
ordered strict control over private guns.

Kaimoeddin specifically asked the local chapter of the
Indonesian Target Shooting Association to tighten supervision of
its members.

He said he received frequent reports from citizens that many
association members misused their guns to illegally hunt deer and
anoa (wild buffalo endemic to Sulawesi) in Watubangga forest.

"Any members found misusing their guns should be dismissed,"
he said, reported Antara.

The governor said reports on the involvement of association
members in poaching were reasonable given they legally possessed
guns.

The 60,000 hectare Watubangga forest is the second largest
habitat of the protected deer and anoa after the Rawa Aopa
Watumohai National Park in Southeast Sulawesi.

"Hunting deer and anoa is illegal and residents should help
the police catch the poachers," he said.

East Sulawesi is home to an estimated 300,000 deer, according
to official statistics. (pan)