Lowland Anoa

Facts

IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)

Facts about this animal

The Lowland Anoa is a tiny bovine with plumb body, a thick neck and short, antelope like, delicate legs. The head-body length is 170-190 cm, the height at the shoulder 80-100 cm. It weights up to 300 kg. The coat is sparse and short to almost hairless (woolly on juveniles). The colour is dark-brown or black, with lighter underparts. Females may be lighter in colour than males. The legs are white or yellowish white from the wrists and heels down, with a black line down the front and across the fetlocks.

There are various whitish areas on the face and the neck, such as a white crescent on the throat, may occur. The ears are moderately sized and pointed. The horns are short (20-40 cm) and straight, triangular in cross-section at the base and flattened, with marked transversal ridges and lateral keel. They are directed backwards nearly in the plane of the face. The tail reaches almost to the hocks and has a small bushy tip.

Did you know?
that anoas are the smallest cattle on earth? They are often called dwarf water buffalo, as that is their closest relative.

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	ARTIODACTYLA
Suborder	RUMINANTIA
Family	BOVIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Bubalus depressicornis
Name (English)	Lowland Anoa
Name (French)	Anoa des plaines
Name (German)	Flachlandanoa
Name (Spanish)	Anoa de llanura, Anoa de llanura
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Bluemoose

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Indonesia (Sulawesi)
Habitat	Undisturbed lowland forested areas and swamps
Wild population	Approx.: 3'000-5'000 (2001)
Zoo population	108 reported to ISIS

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 73 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Bodlina

Why do zoos keep this animal

The lowland anoa is an endangered species, and habitat loss and degradation, and unsustainable harvesting are going on. The building up and maintenance of a viable ex situ reserve population thus makes sense. Therefore, an International Studbook and two regional coorinated breeding programmes (EEP and SSP) have been established.

How this animal should be kept

Anoas should be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups of compatible animals. For a pair an outdoor enclosure of at least 300 m² is required, which should be enlarged by 30 m² for each additional adult. The enclosure should be well structured, frequently used areas, e.g. at the entrance to the stables, should be paved. Landscaping involving tree roots, large natural stones or trees.

In cold and temperate climatic zones anoas need a stable where a temperature of 18 °C should be maintained. The den size should be 8m² per animal.

Anoas should have access to normal good hay, which should be supplemenetd with vegatablers, fruit and concentrates. The animals are happy to eat soft wood twigs with or without leaves at any time of the year. Salt lickstones should be provided.