Banteng Population Ecology

The Banteng (Bos javanicus), also known as Tembadau, are a endangered species of wild cattle found only in Southeast Asia. There are three known subspecies of Banteng across the region:

Bos  javanicus birmanicus: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

Bos javanicus javanicus: Island of Java

Bos javanicus lowi: Island of Borneo

The Borneo banteng, Bos javanicus lowi, are one of the rarer endangered large mammals in Sabah (Malaysia, Borneo) yet very little is known of their ecology or exact population size. Current estimates of the islands population place the number of individuals at around 550 with a trend that is in decline.

The banteng is the only species of bovid (cattle) known to occur naturally in the wild in Borneo. It is protected in Sabah and found in logged forest on flatland, dipterocarp, swamp and beach forests. The largest populations (numbers unknown) are found in Kulamba Forest Reserve and Maliau Basin Conservation Area. On the island of Borneo it is extinct in the country of Brunei and there are no recent reports from the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Therefore, it seems that Sabah (as for elephants and rhinoceroses) is the last stronghold for that charismatic species.

The complete global population of the species has not been recently assessed although it is unlikely to be more than 8,000 and is quite possibly fewer than 5,000 animals. No subpopulations of more than 500, and only 6–8 subpopulations of more than 50 animals are known, with 4–5 on these on Java and 1–2 in Thailand.

The distinct lack of data available on banteng in Borneo impedes the development of suitable conservation protocols and appropriate habitat management techniques. In order to conserve this subspecies and effectively manage the sustainability and genetic diversity of the remaining stock it is critical an evaluation is conducted before further declines occur.

With operating support from the Houston Zoo, this program is being facilitated by the Danau Girang Field Centre and Sabah Wildlife Department.

The primary objectives of this field study include:

1. To capture baseline data on the demographics and population ecology of B. j. lowi in their natural environment:

• To examine their movement, dispersal distribution and use of habitat type within the Forest Reserve/Conservation Area by monitoring individuals collared with satellite-radio tracking devices and combining outputs with geographical information and digital mapping systems
• To assess the importance of mineral licks and water sources by monitoring the frequency of visits using tracking collars and remote camera traps
• To identify individuals through the use of tracking collars and remote camera trapping systems and to create a catalogue of images and information appropriate for recognition and future monitoring 

2.  To capture base line data on the population genetic structure and reproductive dynamics of B. j. lowi using population genetics

• To examine the genetic diversity of the two populations using molecular analysis of faecal and tissue samples
• To establish an overview of herd population dynamics and relatedness through molecular analysis of faecal and tissue samples