A rare anoa – which is the world’s smallest buffalo species – has been born at Chester Zoo. The baby buffalo arrived to mum Darcy after a 10-month-long pregnancy, weighing just 7kg and standing at around 50cm tall. Fully-grown anoas stand at barely a metre tall.
Zookeepers have revealed the newborn is female and named her Mentari, which means ’the sun’ in Malay language. Now, at just two weeks old, Mentari has left her den and embarked on her very first outdoor adventure – with the special moment caught on camera.
Lowland anoa are found in the forests and swamps of a single Indonesian island, Sulawesi. As forests are cleared for agriculture and mining, anoa populations have become fragmented, making it easier for hunters to find and kill them. Therefore, conservationists at Chester Zoo say the baby anoa buffalo is vitally important to the future of the species.
“Every anoa birth is hugely important for the future of this endangered species”
Emma Evison, Team Manager at the zoo, said: “Mum Darcy and her new baby are doing brilliantly. After spending her first couple of weeks bonding with mum in the safety of their cosy den, the little one has grown in strength and confidence and is now beginning to explore the outside world. She’s already showing plenty of personality and seeing her take those first steps outside is a real privilege – it’s something very few people will ever get the chance to witness.
“Every anoa birth is hugely important for the future of this endangered species. Across the European conservation breeding programme, our scientists here at Chester Zoo monitor the fertility and pregnancies of anoas, helping to build a healthy, genetically diverse population and giving this remarkable species the best possible chance of survival.”
Fewer than 2,500 anoa remain in the wild
The anoa, named after the Sulawesi word for “buffalo”, is the smallest species of wild cattle and typically grows to a metre or less in height. With fewer than 2,500 remaining in the wild, anoa are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – the second highest priority on the scale before the species reaches extinction in the wild.
Very little is known about the ecology and life history of the anoa, though Chester Zoo scientists are learning more about their reproduction, which has helped boost their numbers. The species is generally solitary, though calves will live with their mothers until they are weaned.
“This new calf will now go on to play an important role in protecting the future of her species.”
Amy Humphreys, South East Asia field conservationist with Chester Zoo, said: “For more than a decade, we’ve been part of a global effort involving more than 50 organisations to help safeguard the long-term survival of the anoa and three other highly threatened species found across South East Asia – the banteng, babirusa and Sumatran tiger.”
Amy is the programme coordinator for the IUCN Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, which recently brought together conservationists from around the world to set out species-saving actions. These include boosting anoa numbers in conservation zoos.
She added: “Our aim is to make sure the precious genetic diversity of these amazing animals is not lost forever. To do this, our plans include scientific monitoring of anoas, new local education programmes in Indonesia, raising global awareness of the threats anoas face, and coordinating conservation breeding programmes. This new calf, born as part of that international effort, will now go on to play an important role in protecting the future of her species.”
