Anoa

Anoa depressicornis
Anoa come in two types, the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis), and the mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi). The anoa is a species of pigmy buffalo, and they are the smallest of the wild cattle. Both species are currently listed as endangered, being threatened by clearing of the forests where they live and being hunted for their meat, horns, and hides.

Interesting Fact: Little is known about the habits of the anoa as they are one of the least-studied of all endangered species.

Anoa are only found on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. The lowland anoa is found in swampy forests, and the mountain anoa is found in higher-altitude forests. Unlike most cattle, anoas don’t live in herds but, rather, live solitary or in pairs and only will meet in groups when a female anoa is about to give birth. They are active most often in the morning and evening when it is still relatively cool, and they rest in the shade when the temperature rises in the afternoon. They will also bathe in mud or water to keep cool.

The lowland anoa most closely resembles a tiny water buffalo. They usually don’t grow more than 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder and can weigh up to 660 pounds (300 kg). When they are young, they are covered with thick, light brown wooly hair, which thins as they grow older and becomes much darker. They have dark brown to black skin that can be easily seen through their hair. There are white marks on their heads and legs, and there is often a crescent-shaped area of white on the throat area. They also have horns, both males and females, that grow out of their foreheads and point straight back, growing to reach lengths of 15 inches (38 cm). Mountain anoas have essentially the same appearance, but they keep their wooly coats through adulthood, and their horns are somewhat smaller. They also are a more solid color without the throat and leg markings that the lowland anoas have.

Anoa is endemic island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Anoa also becomes the identity fauna of Southeast Sulawesi province. Rare and endangered species is composed of two species (types) are: dwarf mountain (Bubalus quarlesi) and plains buffalo (Bubalus depressicornis). Both of these animals live in forests that are rarely touched by humans. Both these dwarf species found only in Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is estimated that there are currently less than 5000 surviving tail. Anoa often hunted for their skins, horns and meat.

Both Anoa Mountains (Bubalus quarlesi) and the Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) since 1986 by IUCN Redlist categorized in animals with the conservation status of "Threatened Species" (Endangered, EN) or three levels below the status of "Extinct".

In general, the buffalo has a buffalo-like skin color, straight horns and pointed backwards and somewhat flattened. His life is moving where and when to meet his enemy will defend themselves by dwarf splash down into the swamp or when forced to fight by using his horns.