At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The banteng is a wild cattle species of Southeast Asia, ancestor of domestic Bali cattle. It is assessed as Endangered.
Bulls are dark with white 'stockings'; cows are reddish-brown.
Range & habitat
Forests of Southeast Asia, with populations on Java, Borneo, and the mainland.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Hunting and poaching
- Habitat loss
- Hybridisation with domestic cattle
Why it matters
A wild bovine that has been domesticated in part of its range, the banteng is both an agricultural ancestor and a flagship for Southeast Asian forest conservation.
Sources
Sources for Banteng
- IUCN Red List — look up Banteng (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the banteng related to domestic cattle?
It is the wild ancestor of the domesticated Bali cattle of Southeast Asia, and can interbreed with domestic cattle — which is also one of the threats to wild banteng.
Why is the banteng Endangered?
Published assessments cite hunting and poaching, habitat loss, and hybridisation with domestic cattle. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: