The Tomohon Market, also known as the Extreme Market, is a well-known destination for tourists seeking exotic meats that are not commonly found in other markets. However, the market has gained notoriety due to the presence of animal slaughter and the sale of exotic meats, including those of endangered species.
Meat vendors in the Tomohon Market sell a variety of exotic meats that include dogs, cats, monitor lizards, pythons, forest rats, wild boars, and even bats. The sale of bats, in particular, is prevalent, with vendors offering either fully intact or hairless, roasted bat carcasses. According to one vendor, during peak festive seasons like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, he can sell up to 2 tons of bat meat in a week. Many of the bats are sourced from outside of Sulawesi, such as Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and Kalimantan.
The widespread consumption of highly sought-after exotic meats has resulted in a decline in bat populations in various regions throughout Sulawesi, particularly in areas where they used to thrive, such as the mangroves of Desa Deaga, Kecamatan Pinolosian Tengah in Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Selatan. Many local residents have reported a significant reduction in the bat population in their respective areas, with overhunting and habitat loss being the primary drivers of the decline.
Efforts are being made to conserve bat populations in Sulawesi, and some areas have been designated as conservation sites for bats. However, poaching remains a significant hurdle in the conservation efforts, with hunters often specifically targeting large bat colonies.
In Olibu village, Kabupaten Bualemo, some efforts have been made to conserve local bat populations. Villagers have established a cooperative to protect the bat colonies in their area, and community members have received formal training in bat research and conservation.
It is essential to take action to conserve the bat populations in Sulawesi and prevent them from disappearing altogether. The Tomohon Market’s sale of exotic meats serves as a reminder of the need for a sustainable and ethical approach to wildlife management, one that respects both nature and the animals that depend on it.
