Spatial distribution model of anoa, Bubalus spp., in Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve

Knowledge of species distribution is essential for understanding the range of species movements based on the ecological characteristics of their habitat and supporting comprehensive species conservation programs. Anoa ( Bubalus spp.) is an endemic species that inhabits Sulawesi forests and is threatened with extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction. The aim of this study was to map the distribution of anoa in Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve using a maximum entropy-based species distribution model. 233 anoa presence data points were collected through field surveys, and 11 environmental variables were used to analyze anoa distribution areas. Anoa in Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve was found in forest landscapes close to human activities that provide resources such as fruit-feeding trees, elevations of less than 500 m asl, and sloping areas around rivers. The maxent model showed excellent performance (AUC 0.923), with the highest variable contribution being the presence of fruit-feeding trees (41.1%), followed by distance from the road, perimeter metrics, distance from river, elevation, and large patch index metrics. The results show that suitable areas for anoa cover 1,239.8 ha (3.2%), moderately suitable 3,045.1 ha (7.8%), and unsuitable areas 6,609.8 ha (17.0%) of the total 38,937 ha study area, while the rest is undefined. The distribution of anoa shows a distribution range at the edge of the area that still provides ecological needs through temporal adaptation to activities.