Cattle : BANTENG

Species: Bos javanicus

Country of origin: South east Asia.

Australian Status:

International status: Indonesia, South East Asia, Australia. Both domestic and wild; but being rapidly exterminated in the wild in their native lands, and and bred out to other breeds domestically.

Australian Population: 10 domestic in zoos. 3,000 estimate as feral. Some with rodeo breeders, possibly 50 pure. 2020 JL 2022: Much the same as earlier. 

History: Bos javanicus. Variously called the Javanese ox, Sunda buffalo, Sourabaya cattle, jungle cattle etc. also erroneously called Brahman cattle at times in our historical news reports. Now extinct in several of its countries of origin, the biggest and purest herd of this species of cattle runs wild in Australia's top end. 

They domesticate very well, having a naturally docile, gentle temperament and are used throughout South East Asia for milking and beef. However due to the popularity of crossing them to other breeds of cattle, it's increasingly hard to find pure Bantengs. In 2012 it was estimated they were 27% of Indonesia's cattle population in this study.

Australia's herd is feral and at risk of over-hunting. Ideally, some could be transferred to be domesticated for prime beef. The reason Banteng are facing extinction is primarily hunting; to a lesser extent, cross breeding. The gentle Banteng is the closest living relation to the extinct Auroch.

Experiments with Banteng were run at the Northern Territory Upper Adelaide River Experimental Station. In 1961, the area became known as Beatrice Hills Animal Industry Research Station. By 1962 after grazing trials, they concluded Banteng were no use. No reasons are known. Also at that Research Station, Banteng were crossed with Brahman in the 1970's and the project handed to private enterprise in the 1980's. Nothing more known of the results of this.

Banteng were brought to Australia to supply the settlement at Port Essington, N.T. with milk and meat - however when the settlement was abandoned in 1849 they were left behind to run wild. Perth zoo had some from about 1901 and experimented crossing them to a Jersey with success. They kept Banteng for decades.

In 1979 when the N.T. research station went out of them, they offered them to Australian zoos. They had 68 ready for placement and another 300 could be mustered in the wild. Melbourne zoo took some; not known if other zoos took up this offer, however those at Western Plains Zoo may stem from this era.

They have become a popular hunting 'trophy', sadly it is usually the quietest family groups shot in the wild, the pick of the breeders. However if trophy hunting is done on private land, this will save them, as they are a business like other livestock. Hunters can be advised to leave the good herd bulls and target the bachelors, or whatever the management requires. Needless to say all wild cattle must be treated with great caution. The bull's life is devoted to protecting his herd.

Breed Traits: Multi-purpose - milk, meat, draught, conservation grazing, rodeo. Conservation grazing is an excellent use as they will live in areas other cattle stay away from, and keep wooded areas with glades, promoting biodiversity of flora and fauna. Another important use in Australia is rodeo stock. That's a record five uses for a breed! The bulls are incredibly athletic and buck well - a Banteng bull was the Australian bucking bull champion in 2018!  Gratitude for the rodeo information provided by Patricia Doak, who breeds Banteng crosses. Banteng crosses and purebreds are used by several rodeo stock breeders such as Norm Gamble, who has produced champions. Straws from some Territory stock have been used (to be researched). This rodeo use augers well for the future of the breed here. It keeps them viable; so good to know Banteng are thriving in the domestic scene here, in a small but important way. It is giving them a future. 

The meat is said to be the finest of all beef - a top priced gourmet product in Indonesia. Having evolved in tropical climates they are ideal in hot conditions, being parasite resistant and wise in the ways of seeking feed, shade and water. They live in one area, liking forest with open glades near permanent water, and will remain there all their life. In domestic situations they are very happy in a paddock - making no attempt to go wandering if they have shade and water. Sedate home-bodies. As well as wild populations, the Banteng has lived in close domestic harmony with the people of Indonesia for millennia, providing milk, beef and being a prime mover. Placid and tractable; said to be the quietest of all cattle - referring of course to those born and raised in captivity.

Good natural herd behaviour - unlike other species of cattle - the bulls care for the cows and calves. One bull has a small herd of cows. Other bulls live their lives in bachelor herds. Naturally very docile, non-aggressive breed which domesticates perfectly. They are also milked in Indonesia, and used for draught work, principally ploughing paddy fields; as well as for beef. Often after a day's work ploughing the cows are milked. 

The bulls grow much bigger and heavier than the cows, especially the herd bulls, where strength plays a part in keeping their herd safe, and keeping their place as protector. The bulls are a darker colour to the cows.

Organisation: None. Several rodeo breeders keep some and Alinta Wildlife Park in NSW breed them for conservation purposes, do a top job ; excess at times sold to the public, ring them to go on their waiting list. Mary River Station in the NT keeps them for trophy hunters. Some zoos have them.

Additional Notes: Also known as Bali cattle.
Trophy hunting is a major use here and when done on private property (or govt lease) such as Mary River Station, it is done sustainably. This allows them to remain in their natural habitat, numbers controlled for sustainability. Hopefully shooters are advised to only shoot batchelors, not the herd bulls which have a better, quieter nature and remain around to protect their little family so are an easy target. Other trophy hunting businesses have no such qualms about wiping them out or leaving the good bulls to continue good lines (herd bulls usually very big so if left alive, throw better stock for future shooting). Trophy shooting keeps several rare breeds alive, as they pay their way. Most zoos keep them only for voyerism income, not to save the breed as they pretend; however Alinta does the right thing. Taronga has some; almost impossible to contact them for queries. 

Photo : Banteng cow and calf, by Mahbob Yusof, WikiMedia Commons

Page by Janet Lane

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