Expedition Team of Researchers from UGM Find Footprints of Anoa

Palu, C Sulawesi (Antara) - An expedition team of researchers from the Gajah Mada University of Yogyakarta, said it had found footprints of dwarf buffalo, an endemic animal species in Sulawesi. The team of four researchers from the Forestry Faculty of the state university found the footprints of the rare animal species known locally as anoa during their research earlier at the Lore Lindo National Park in Central Sulawesi. "We have carried out research for several days on fauna and flora around lake Lindu in the regency of Sigi and found the anoa footprints," team leader Agus Kusmanto said here on Tuesday. There are two different anoa -- mountain anoa (bubalus quarlesi) and low land anoa (bubalus depressicornis), Agus said. He said the footprints found by the team around Lake Lindu most likely belonged to upland anoa . He said though not seeing the animal itself, the team was satisfied as the footprints showed that the protected animal species still existed. The rare animal has been feared to lose existence or diminished in population after being the target of illegal hunting for its meat. He said the Lore Lindu National Park (TNLL) is still well preserve , adding it is part of 50 such national parks located in various areas in the country to be visited by the expedition team of researchers. TNLL is located in the jungle of the sub-district of Lindu around 100 kilometers from the city of Palu, the provincial city of Central Sulawesi. When the researchers were on the Lindu upland , while trying to track down anoa , they also fund other animals like monkeys, various bird species , butterflies , dragonflies etc. (*)