Banteng

The banteng are wild oxen that live in the jungles and forests of Burma, Thailand, Malacca, Java, and Borneo. The banteng are an endangered species due to land development on its territory and illegal hunting, but in Bali, there is a project going on to domesticate the banteng because of it's breeding qualities. The hunting of these creatures is quite sad- in its native territory, the population has declined 80%. As of today, less than 8000 banteng are still alive. There is a herd being kept in Northern Australia as well that is trying to breed them so the race does not go completely extinct. Which brings up an interesting story about the breeding of these creatures... When the farmers of Java want better cattle, they open their barn doors at night, letting the female cows wander into the woods at night. After mating with the banteng, the female comes back to the barn to be fed.

A male (right) and female (left)

Banteng are beautiful creatures though, and do improve the cattle- the male banteng stands 5 feet tall and is 10 feet long including it's tail. It has a russet coat, with white hindquarters and lower legs. It has heavy horns on it's head. The color in female banteng is much brighter than that of the males.

In the wild it can survive from altitudes above 6400 feet. It often gathers in small herds that are led by a head female. The herds usually consist of a few females and jueveniles. Males are most often solitary. The creatures are semi-nocturnal, feeding at night and sleeping during the day. It is a vegetarian, and its diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, and young plant shoots.