KOTA KINABALU: The Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) in Sabah started the year with strong proactive measures to continue its mission to protect the endangered Bornean banteng, or wild buffaloes in the state.
According to the WRU secretariat, a one-day workshop was held on this critically endangered species last week.
The workshop gathered experts to discuss and develop a standardised monitoring protocol to track the population trends of the Bornean banteng more effectively, said the secretariat.
The goal was to create a unified approach for data collection, ensuring that conservation efforts are guided by reliable, consistent information, it said.
“By improving the ability to track the banteng’s population, we can better assess the health of their habitats, identify threats, and plan targeted conservation strategies,” it added.
The secretariat said this initiative marked a significant step toward securing the future of the Bornean Banteng and that it is never too late to start making a difference.
“Small steps can lead to meaningful change in wildlife protection,” it said, in encouraging the community to be part of efforts to bring change to wildlife protection in Sabah as it re-introduced the 5R - reduce, reject, rethink, report and remind - initiative.
“Reduce any activities that harm the Bornean banteng and their habitats, reject the purchase of products or any activities that may threaten the banteng and rethink before you act - reflect on the consequences of your irresponsible actions on the banteng and the ecosystems,” it said.
“Remind yourselves and the community of the banteng’s critically endangered status and the importance of conserving this species, and report any crimes or activities that harm the banteng and its habitat to wildlife authorities,” the secretariat stressed.
It said that actions today shape the future of this incredible creature and by incorporating these simple yet impactful actions into everyone’s daily lives, they can collectively make a significant positive impact on the future of wildlife and the ecosystem.
The Bornean banteng (Bos javanicus low) is classified as Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN Red List.
With an estimated population of fewer than 500, these wild cattle are at risk due to various factors such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.
