Rescuing Cambodia's Last Banteng and Relocating Them to Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary

Project Details:

The banteng (Bos javanicus), the world’s second-largest wild cattle species, has all but vanished from Cambodia’s forests, where decades of uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss drove a catastrophic population collapse of roughly 95 percent between the late 1960s and early 1990s.

Now, Rising Phoenix Co. Ltd., with support from the Colossal Species Reintroduction Fund, is racing to save a small herd of banteng trapped in an isolated forest fragment slated for conversion to farmland. Building on two successful helicopter-assisted translocations that already relocated 32 banteng to Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, this next phase aims to rescue up to 50 additional banteng and give them a permanent home within a protected, fenced safe haven.

In Partnership With

Rising Phoenix Co. Ltd. is a Cambodian social enterprise that holds a 30-year management agreement with Cambodia's Ministry of Environment to restore and conserve Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, a globally recognized habitat supporting five Critically Endangered bird species, including Cambodia's national bird, the giant ibis. Beyond banteng recovery, Rising Phoenix supports ranger operations, anti-poaching enforcement, and community development programs with more than 1,300 families across 19 villages.

Why the Banteng Matters

As one of Southeast Asia’s largest surviving wild cattle species, the banteng plays an important role in shaping the forests and grasslands it inhabits. Banteng graze on plants and spread seeds, which helps keep the ecosystem rich and diverse.

Cambodia is now believed to hold the largest surviving banteng population in the world. With threats from snaring, poaching, and extensive habitat loss, the banteng is critically endangered. Protecting the banteng means helping the whole ecosystem.

Progress So Far

In May 2025, Rising Phoenix carried out Cambodia’s first-ever helicopter-assisted banteng capture. Conservationists discovered a small herd of banteng trapped in a degraded, isolated forest fragment — land facing imminent conversion to farmland. They had to move fast.

A helicopter was used to help spot banteng in the dense forest. They were corralled into funnel traps (“boma”), loaded into trucks, and relocated to Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary (SPWS).

In its first attempt, 16 individuals were successfully relocated. A second translocation mission successfully relocated an additional 16 individuals, making for a small-but-critical population of 32 banteng in SPWS.

Now, another population of banteng has been discovered. And this time, we’re trying to relocate 50 of them.

How the Species Reintroduction Fund is Helping

With the Colossal Foundation’s support, Rising Phoenix will carry out Phase 3 of the banteng translocation between September 2026 and August 2027:

Helicopter-Assisted Rescue – Capturing up to 50 banteng from the isolated Prambei Mom Community Forest herd.

Safe Haven Relocation – Transporting rescued banteng roughly 500 kilometers to a secure, fenced habitat within Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Veterinary and Field Support – Funding permits, veterinary supervision, and anti-poaching patrols throughout the translocation.