Quick answer
IUCN status: EndangeredMountain anoa at a glance
The mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) is a mammal in the family Bovidae. Range in Indonesia: Sulawesi and Buton Island. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sulawesi (mainly mountain forest); possibly also Buton Island. Diet: grasses and other forest vegetation; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Bubalus quarlesi |
|---|---|
| Former scientific name | Anoa quarlesi |
| Indonesian name | Anoa pegunungan |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sulawesi and Buton Island |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Diet | Grasses and other forest vegetation |
| Range in Indonesia | Endemic to Sulawesi and Buton Island |
| Key feature | Smaller and more densely haired than the lowland anoa |
| Other names | Anoa gunung (Indonesian) |
| IUCN status | Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 10 |
| Population | Estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, with no subpopulation above 250 mature individuals · ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (IUCN assessment) — Bubalus quarlesi |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — browser: grasses and other forest vegetation · IUCN Red List |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Active | Cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night) — Little studied; the available data cover both anoa species. · Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 2 Hoofed Mammals (Wilson & Mittermeier eds., Lynx Edicions 2011), Bovidae: Bubalus depressicornis (Anoa, incl. Mountain Anoa quarlesi) account (Plazi treatment) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sulawesi (mainly mountain forest); possibly also Buton Island · IUCN Red List |
In this guide (12)
What is the mountain anoa?
The mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) is a small wild buffalo found only on Sulawesi and Buton Island. The IUCN Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group describes anoa as the smallest wild cattle. Mountain anoa are smaller and more densely haired than lowland anoa, which gives them a woolly look. Animal Diversity Web (ADW) describes a dark brown to black coat. After the February–April moult, pale marks appear on the cheeks, the neck and just above the hooves. The horns are flat at the front and triangular towards the tips.
Evidence: IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗ · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Bubalus quarlesi, mountain anoa ↗
Where does the mountain anoa live?
Mountain anoa live in dense forest on Sulawesi and Buton Island, usually recorded at 1,000–2,300 m but occasionally found near sea level. The IUCN assessment summarised in Japan's ESABII database says skull records confirm the species across most of central Sulawesi and in northern Buton. Older reports also place it on the northern peninsula and part of the south-eastern peninsula. It favours forest with dense undergrowth, near plentiful water and away from human activity. Key sites include Lore Lindu and Bogani Nani Wartabone national parks and Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve.
Evidence: ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗ · IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗
What does the mountain anoa eat?
The mountain anoa is a plant-eater that browses grasses and other forest vegetation. Very little is known about its wild diet. ADW notes that palms, ferns, gingers, grasses and fruit grow in its habitat, but that list is not a confirmed menu. The specialist group explains that anoa food plants are generally low in minerals. Anoa are therefore thought to top up minerals at salt licks and mineral springs. They have also been reported drinking seawater where no licks are available.
Evidence: ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗ · IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗ · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Bubalus quarlesi, mountain anoa ↗
How does the mountain anoa live and breed?
Mountain anoa usually live alone, although several may gather at salt licks and wallows. Like other wild buffalo, they wallow and bathe in pools of water or mud. ESABII notes that in captivity anoa reach sexual maturity at 2–3 years, usually have one calf a year and may live 20–30 years. Breeding rates in the wild may be lower. ADW gives a gestation period of about 275–315 days. Calves stay with their mothers until they are relatively large.
Evidence: ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗ · IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗ · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Bubalus quarlesi, mountain anoa ↗
How does the mountain anoa differ from the lowland anoa?
The mountain anoa is smaller, shaggier and generally recorded in higher forest than the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis). These differences are not always usable in the field. ESABII notes that mountain anoa cannot be told apart from young lowland anoa. Their local ranges are also unclear, and the two may live in the same places. Whether they are separate species is still debated; some experts suggest they may be one. A 2024 mitochondrial DNA study by Priyono and colleagues found two groups, lowland and mountain, that split about 1.42 million years ago.
Evidence: IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗ · ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗ · Evolutionary Systematics (Priyono et al. 2024) — Biogeographic history of the endangered dwarf buffalo, subgenus Anoa ↗
How can the mountain anoa be protected?
The mountain anoa is protected in Indonesia: it is listed as “anoa gunung” in the annex to Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018. IUCN lists it as Endangered, and it is on CITES Appendix I. The main threats are hunting for meat and habitat damage from farming and gold mining. Declines have been most severe in Gorontalo and Buol Toli-Toli. Recommended actions include protection from hunting, preventing habitat loss at key sites, and law enforcement combined with education. People can help by refusing anoa meat, horns or hides and by reporting hunting to the local BKSDA.
Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗ · ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗ · Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Bubalus quarlesi, mountain anoa ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Mountain anoa
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Bubalus |
| Species | Bubalus quarlesi |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the mountain anoa
What is the scientific name of the mountain anoa?
The scientific name of the mountain anoa is Bubalus quarlesi, in the family Bovidae. In Indonesian it is called Anoa pegunungan. A former scientific name still often used: Anoa quarlesi.
What kind of animal is the mountain anoa?
The mountain anoa is a mammal in the family Bovidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a browser: grasses and other forest vegetation. It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the mountain anoa live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the mountain anoa in: Sulawesi and Buton Island.
The mountain anoa is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sulawesi (mainly mountain forest); possibly also Buton Island. Source: IUCN Red List.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the mountain anoa eat?
Diet of the mountain anoa: grasses and other forest vegetation. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: IUCN Red List.
How does the mountain anoa reproduce?
The mountain anoa reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
Is the mountain anoa nocturnal?
The cited source records the mountain anoa as cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night). Little studied; the available data cover both anoa species. Source: Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 2 Hoofed Mammals (Wilson & Mittermeier eds., Lynx Edicions 2011), Bovidae: Bubalus depressicornis (Anoa, incl. Mountain Anoa quarlesi) account (Plazi treatment).
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the mountain anoa?
Key features of the mountain anoa, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: smaller and more densely haired than the lowland anoa.
How large is the population of the mountain anoa?
Estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, with no subpopulation above 250 mature individuals. Source: ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (IUCN assessment) — Bubalus quarlesi. Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.
What is the scientific classification of the mountain anoa?
Scientific classification of the mountain anoa: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae, genus Bubalus, species Bubalus quarlesi.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the mountain anoa endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the mountain anoa is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the mountain anoa protected in Indonesia?
Is the mountain anoa protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 10).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the mountain anoa be kept as a pet?
No. Because the mountain anoa is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Compare with similar animals
Sources & references
- IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group — Anoa ↗
- ESABII Threatened Mammal Species Database (Biodiversity Center of Japan) — Bubalus quarlesi ↗
- Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) — Bubalus quarlesi, mountain anoa ↗
- Evolutionary Systematics (Priyono et al. 2024) — Biogeographic history of the endangered dwarf buffalo, subgenus Anoa ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 2 Hoofed Mammals (Wilson & Mittermeier eds., Lynx Edicions 2011), Bovidae: Bubalus depressicornis (Anoa, incl. Mountain Anoa quarlesi) account (Plazi treatment) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Further reading
Anoa: facts, threats and conservation ↗ — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/mountain-anoa/