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)