Banteng
CR

Banteng

Bos javanicus

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banteng

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Javan banteng faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and palm oil plantations across its native range in Java and Bali. Hybridization with domestic cattle poses a significant genetic threat, diluting the pure wild gene pool. Disease transmission from livestock, particularly foot-and-mouth disease and bovine tuberculosis, has caused substantial mortality in remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Javan banteng inhabit tropical forests, grasslands, and woodland savannas, preferring areas with access to water sources and open grazing areas. They are found in both lowland and montane forests up to 2,100 meters elevation, requiring a mosaic of forest cover for shelter and grasslands for feeding.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical swamp· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorGrassland· majorWetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorWetlands (inland) - Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens· majorRocky areas· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationPolicies and regulationsCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Banteng classified as Critically Endangered?
Banteng is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Javan banteng faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and palm oil plantations across its native range in Java and Bali. Hybridization with domestic cattle poses a significant genetic threat, diluting the pure wild gene pool. Disease transmission from livestock, particularly foot-and-mouth disease and bovine tuberculosis, has caused substantial mortality in remaining populations.
Where does Banteng live?
Banteng occurs in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, and Indonesia (plus 5 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Banteng?
The main threats to Banteng are 12.1, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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