Timber company to breed deer in Southeast Sulawesi

Timber company to breed deer in Southeast Sulawesi

JAKARTA (JP): A giant timber company often accused of being
partly responsible for the loss of much of Indonesia's forests is
planning to breed deer (cervus timorensis) in Buton, Southeast
Sulawesi, where it runs an industrial forest estate.

Local forestry officials have endorsed the project, which will
involve 30 female deer and five male deer to be raised by PT
Barito Pasifik Timber Group on a six-hectare breeding ground in
Rumbia subdistrict.

The company's human resource development chief, Bambang
Pramonio, told Antara on Monday the company had begun work on the
project, including clearing land and building fences.

The 35 deer will be brought in from Rawa Aopa Watumohai
National Park.

According to an agreement, the government will retain the
ownership of the original 35 deer and the company will own their
third-generation offspring.

Southeast Sulawesi Agency for Forest Protection and Natural
Resource Conservation chairman Gunung W. Sinaga said the deer
breeding project would be overseen by officials from the Rawa
Aopa Watumohai National Park. The company will cover all
operational costs.

The area earmarked for the deer is located near the national
park and is considered highly suitable for the project. The
breeding ground is expected to become a new eco-tourist
attraction in the area.

PT Bossowa Grup is also reportedly interested in breeding deer
in Mataosu, Kolaka regency.(pan)