The hog deer is no ordinary pig; the simple addition of the word `deer' elevates it to the status of a protected species. The entire global population currently stands at about 5,000. But in North Sulawesi, the hog deer is just another pig. Price tag? About Rp30,000 per kilogram.

There is, in fact, a protection regime already in place. Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning Rare Species, and Government Regulation No. 7 of 1999 concerning the Preservat