banteng

Banteng (Bos javanicus) is a species of wild cattle native to Southeast Asia. It is one of the region’s wild bovids in the genus Bos and is the wild ancestor of the domesticated Bali cattle.

Its range includes Indonesia (on islands such as Java, Borneo, and Sumatra) and parts of mainland Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Banteng inhabit tropical forests and forest edges, as well as open woodlands, swamps, and river valleys, often near sources of water. Populations are fragmented in many areas due to deforestation and human activity, but they persist in protected areas and national parks.

Physically, banteng are medium to large bovids. Adult males typically weigh between 700 and 1,000 kilograms, with females being smaller. Coat color varies from reddish-brown to dark brown or nearly black, and a distinctive pale yellowish-white patch on the rump is common. Both sexes possess horns that sweep outward and upward, with bulls generally larger and more robust than cows.

Banteng are social animals that form small to medium-sized herds, often led by a matriarch. They are mixed feeders, grazing on grasses and browsing on leaves and fruits. They are capable swimmers and may cross rivers to find new habitat. Calving occurs year-round in suitable conditions, with a calf typically staying with its dam for several months to a year.

Conservation status is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, primarily due to habitat loss, hunting, and disease transmission from domestic cattle. Conservation efforts focus on protected-area management, anti-poaching measures, and, in some regions, captive breeding. The domesticated Bali cattle are descended from banteng and are raised for beef and draft in Indonesia and other areas.