On 7 January 2025, Experts From Government, Ngos A..

On 7 January 2025, experts from government, NGOs and academia—Sabah Wildlife Department, WWF-Malaysia, Bringing Back Our Rare Animals (BORA), Danau Girang Field Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Yayasan Sabah, Forest Solutions Malaysia, and Sabah Environmental Trust—gathered for a shared mission: conserving the critically endangered Bornean banteng.

Key discussions emphasized the importance of standardizing terminology for banteng monitoring and establishing protocols to track herd sizes and classify age groups—fundamental steps for effective conservation. These efforts build on the work of Dr Zainal Zainuddin from BORA, whose notable achievement in long-term enrichment monitoring since 2019 has significantly contributed to an increase in the banteng herd population, highlighting the vital link between consistent monitoring practices and successful conservation outcomes.

However, conservation efforts face significant challenges. Data collection involves reviewing immense amounts of footage—spanning years and thousands of videos—which is both labour- and time-intensive. Camera traps provide vital insights but are complicated by herd movement patterns. Innovative methods, such as using shoulder height to assess growth rates, require further refinement.

These challenges underscore the need for collaboration, shared expertise, and innovation. Addressing these complexities can strengthen conservation efforts and secure a future for the Bornean banteng and its habitat.

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Tags: Wildlife Rescue Unit Bringing Back Our Rare Animals Danau Girang Field Centre Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Source: https://www.facebook.com/638140668356355/posts/1019658136871..

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WWF Malaysia

WWF-Malaysia is a national conservation trust that currently runs conversation projects covering a diverse range of environmental protection & nature conservation in Malaysia. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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