|
|
Banteng uplisted to Critically Endangered as a result of incessant poaching and habitat loss.
28th October 2024
The banteng (Bos javanicus), a charismatic species of wild cattle native to Southeast Asia, is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Previously, the banteng was listed as Endangered. The negative status change is due to an estimated global population decline of more than 80% over the past two decades. This decline is largely attributed to unabated pressures from illegal hunting and habitat loss.
The banteng (Bos javanicus), a charismatic species of wild cattle native to Southeast Asia, is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Previously, the banteng was listed as Endangered. The negative status change is due to an estimated global population decline of more than 80% over the past two decades. This decline is largely attributed to unabated pressures from illegal hunting and habitat loss.
|
|
Dramatic declines have been recorded for many subpopulations across the species’ range based on data from long-term population monitoring. This includes data-sets from some of the species’ historic strongholds such as Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape and the rainforests of Sabah, Malaysia. The current total global population of banteng is estimated at approximately 3,300 (2,475–4,900).
The scale of the decline varies between populations, but overall the expert assessment suggested that the global banteng population has decreased 81% over the past 21 years. Declines are primarily driven by illegal hunting for meat and trade in horns, by-catch in traps set for other species, and extensive habitat loss and degradation across much of its range. “The tragic decline in banteng numbers is a manifestation of the Asian Snaring Crisis. Thousands of indiscriminate traps litter key banteng habitat, particularly in mainland Southeast Asia. Addressing the drivers of snaring is critical if we are to recover banteng and other large Asian mammals” said Dr Thomas Gray, a co-author of the assessment and the Landscape Recovery Lead for WWFs’ Tigers Alive program.
There is however, reason for hope as evidenced from Thailand’s Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM) where banteng populations are increasing in both abundance and distribution. Robust monitoring from Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has demonstrated a doubling of the banteng population over a 15-years and this site now likely supports the largest population of banteng globally. Conservation success in this Thai protected area is largely attributed to long-term investments in effective protection to suppress poaching and habitat degradation. “We have witnessed, in the last 15 years, a clear recovery pattern of banteng population in Huai Kha Khaeng. We strongly believe that this forest has much more room for banteng to recover because it is part of the much larger protected forest landscape of WEFCOM. We have to make sure we can give them solid protection from poachers and keep forest connectivity intact. We hope this can result in expanding bantengs range to other appropriate protected areas where they are extirpated," said Somphot Duangchantrasiri, Head of Khao Nang Ram Wildlife Research Station, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
In Indonesia some small populations, such as on Java, are no longer extant and remnant populations in Central and East Kalimantan are isolated and their size is not exactly known. However, banteng populations in the major national parks such as Baluran, Alas Purwo and Ujung Kulon generally can be considered stable. “Strict protection and intensive management, including habitat and population monitoring, have contributed to the generally stable condition of banteng populations in these parks despite various threats. This global assessment underscores the importance of active and systematic conservation efforts for banteng recovery, and the need to conduct more intensive and robust monitoring in several areas.” said Dr Sunarto Sunarto, co-chair of the IUCN SSC Indonesia Species Specialist Group.
Aside from their intrinsic and charismatic values, banteng play an important ecosystem role as large herbivores and are an important prey species for large carnivores. The effective conservation of iconic carnivores such as tiger heavily relies on the recovery of prey species including the banteng. Banteng have been domesticated several times and are the wild ancestor of Bali cattle. As such, the species’ genetic reservoir may be of importance to the future of meat production and draft works in the region.
To recover banteng effective conservation measures are urgently required. The banteng recovery in Western Thailand follows decades of local stakeholder engagement in conjunction with law enforcement, and may serve as a promising template for conservation efforts elsewhere. ‘‘We call on all stakeholders to collaborate and take the urgently needed actions to reverse the negative trend. Increasing effectiveness of protection from hunting, as well as maintaining and expanding suitable habitat and connectivity, are essential for long-term population viability / future of Banteng.” James Burton, Chair, IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.
Please contact us to find out how you can help support us, or see here for more information.
Notes to Editors
For interview requests or further information, please contact James Burton or Milou Groenenberg.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
https://www.asianwildcattle.org/
The scale of the decline varies between populations, but overall the expert assessment suggested that the global banteng population has decreased 81% over the past 21 years. Declines are primarily driven by illegal hunting for meat and trade in horns, by-catch in traps set for other species, and extensive habitat loss and degradation across much of its range. “The tragic decline in banteng numbers is a manifestation of the Asian Snaring Crisis. Thousands of indiscriminate traps litter key banteng habitat, particularly in mainland Southeast Asia. Addressing the drivers of snaring is critical if we are to recover banteng and other large Asian mammals” said Dr Thomas Gray, a co-author of the assessment and the Landscape Recovery Lead for WWFs’ Tigers Alive program.
There is however, reason for hope as evidenced from Thailand’s Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM) where banteng populations are increasing in both abundance and distribution. Robust monitoring from Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has demonstrated a doubling of the banteng population over a 15-years and this site now likely supports the largest population of banteng globally. Conservation success in this Thai protected area is largely attributed to long-term investments in effective protection to suppress poaching and habitat degradation. “We have witnessed, in the last 15 years, a clear recovery pattern of banteng population in Huai Kha Khaeng. We strongly believe that this forest has much more room for banteng to recover because it is part of the much larger protected forest landscape of WEFCOM. We have to make sure we can give them solid protection from poachers and keep forest connectivity intact. We hope this can result in expanding bantengs range to other appropriate protected areas where they are extirpated," said Somphot Duangchantrasiri, Head of Khao Nang Ram Wildlife Research Station, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
In Indonesia some small populations, such as on Java, are no longer extant and remnant populations in Central and East Kalimantan are isolated and their size is not exactly known. However, banteng populations in the major national parks such as Baluran, Alas Purwo and Ujung Kulon generally can be considered stable. “Strict protection and intensive management, including habitat and population monitoring, have contributed to the generally stable condition of banteng populations in these parks despite various threats. This global assessment underscores the importance of active and systematic conservation efforts for banteng recovery, and the need to conduct more intensive and robust monitoring in several areas.” said Dr Sunarto Sunarto, co-chair of the IUCN SSC Indonesia Species Specialist Group.
Aside from their intrinsic and charismatic values, banteng play an important ecosystem role as large herbivores and are an important prey species for large carnivores. The effective conservation of iconic carnivores such as tiger heavily relies on the recovery of prey species including the banteng. Banteng have been domesticated several times and are the wild ancestor of Bali cattle. As such, the species’ genetic reservoir may be of importance to the future of meat production and draft works in the region.
To recover banteng effective conservation measures are urgently required. The banteng recovery in Western Thailand follows decades of local stakeholder engagement in conjunction with law enforcement, and may serve as a promising template for conservation efforts elsewhere. ‘‘We call on all stakeholders to collaborate and take the urgently needed actions to reverse the negative trend. Increasing effectiveness of protection from hunting, as well as maintaining and expanding suitable habitat and connectivity, are essential for long-term population viability / future of Banteng.” James Burton, Chair, IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.
Please contact us to find out how you can help support us, or see here for more information.
Notes to Editors
For interview requests or further information, please contact James Burton or Milou Groenenberg.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
https://www.asianwildcattle.org/
About the IUCN SSC Asian wild cattle specialist group
The IUCN Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group’s mission is to promote the long-term conservation of the Asian wild cattle species and their habitats by means of information-sharing, identification of conservation priorities and facilitation/delivery of these priority actions through collaborative conservation work.
The IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group is keen to work with governments, NGOs and other stakeholders to support Banteng conservation by facilitating prioritisation and action planning discussions.