Cover photo: Banteng © Caleb Jones
Banteng
Bos javanicus
IUCN status: Endangered
Threats: Habitat loss, illegal hunting, interbreeding with domestic cattle
Size: body mass: 400-900 kg; height at shoulder: 1.2-1.9 m; head and body length: 2.45-3.83 m
Banteng are found across Southeast Asia, with three recognised subspecies (B. j. javanicus on Java and Bali, B. j. lowi on Borneo and B. j. birmanicus on the Asian mainland, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). Banteng are similar in size and build to domestic cattle and exhibit sexual dimorphism; males are generally larger and have a darker coat. Females usually live in herds, often made up of mothers and offspring. Males may be solitary or form all-male groups which disband during mating season.
Across their range, banteng are threatened by habitat loss and hunting, and their numbers have declined by up to 95% since the 1960s. There are now likely fewer than 5,000 left.
Banteng have been domesticated multiple times, and are the wild ancestor of Bali cattle. There are over 1.5 million domesticated banteng in the world.
More information
Find out more about Action Indonesia, our Global Species Management Plan for anoa and banteng here.
IUCN Red List account.
Threats: Habitat loss, illegal hunting, interbreeding with domestic cattle
Size: body mass: 400-900 kg; height at shoulder: 1.2-1.9 m; head and body length: 2.45-3.83 m
Banteng are found across Southeast Asia, with three recognised subspecies (B. j. javanicus on Java and Bali, B. j. lowi on Borneo and B. j. birmanicus on the Asian mainland, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). Banteng are similar in size and build to domestic cattle and exhibit sexual dimorphism; males are generally larger and have a darker coat. Females usually live in herds, often made up of mothers and offspring. Males may be solitary or form all-male groups which disband during mating season.
Across their range, banteng are threatened by habitat loss and hunting, and their numbers have declined by up to 95% since the 1960s. There are now likely fewer than 5,000 left.
Banteng have been domesticated multiple times, and are the wild ancestor of Bali cattle. There are over 1.5 million domesticated banteng in the world.
More information
Find out more about Action Indonesia, our Global Species Management Plan for anoa and banteng here.
IUCN Red List account.