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uthorities recently seized a moor macaque from a resident of Tolitoli regency in Central Sulawesi, prompting fresh concerns over the illicit possession of endangered species that are endemic to Sulawesi.

The Central Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), however, finds it difficult to tackle locals who own rare animals because of the absence of a special agency with the capabilities to take care of the mamals.

“Such an agency is needed to take care of [seized moor macaques],” Haruna, the conservation unit head of BKSDA Central Sulawesi Area I, told The Jakarta Post last week.

There are approximately 1,000 moor macaques left in Sulawesi. The reduced numbers are the result of habitat loss from expanding human populations and deforestation.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed the moor macaque as an endangered animal. The government has also categorized the ape as protected based on a 1999 government regulation on the preservation of plants and animals.

“Most of these native Sulawesi animals live in the Bantimurung National Park in South Sulawesi,” Haruna said.

Animal-lover communities are concerned about threats to the existence of the species.

The 1-year-old moor macaque seized from a Tolitoli resident, for example, was initially taken care of by an animal rescue foundation in Taipa subdistrict in Palu.

But the foundation did not have the capacity to fully oversee the animal so it later handed over the monkey to the BKSDA Central Sulawesi.

Palu resident Hadianto Rasyid, who runs the foundation, said he had planned to establish an animal rescue organization called Lepas.

“I have prepared a one-hectare plot of land for rare animals for the initial phase. Later on, an animal clinic will be built,” he said.

The animal rescue center will be part of the Taipa Beach tourist area.

He said the center would accommodate various types of endangered animals and could become a new tourist attraction or research center.

“Students can conduct further research about certain animals in addition to seeing various types of rare protected animals,” he said.

The moor macaque is diurnal, which means it is active in day time. It consumes fruits, seeds, young leaves and flower buds in tropical rainforests.

The average height of a moor macaque is 50 centimeters.

The chief thing that differentiates a moor macaque from other types of macaques is that its tail is barely visible. “The moor macaque is unique because it has no visible tail,” Haruna said.

It also has pink bare skin on the rump. The pink color is stronger on the rump of a pregnant female moor macaque.

When a moor macaque eats, it does not directly swallow the food but keeps it for some time in a pocket in its neck. The moor macaque usually lives in a group of 20 to 25 individuals.