Kota Kinabalu: Sabah held its inaugural Banteng Day on Saturday with a community celebration aimed at raising awareness for one of Borneo’s most critically endangered species, the Bornean banteng.
The event in Tungku brought together government officials, conservationists and local residents to highlight the plight of the estimated 325 remaining banteng in Sabah, which face threats from illegal hunting and habitat destruction.
“The banteng is a lesser known but ecologically vital species and raising public awareness about its conservation is crucial,” said Sabah Wildlife Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar during the opening ceremony.
The celebration featured the Banteng Cup 2025, including football, volleyball and tug-of-war competitions among local teams and educational exhibitions about wildlife conservation.
Organisers used the sporting events to engage communities in conservation efforts, encouraging residents to report wildlife crimes.
Two significant conservation documents were launched during the event, namely, an updated mid-term review of Sabah’s Banteng Conservation Action Plan and a research manual for field monitoring of the species.
Both aim to strengthen scientific approaches to protecting the banteng population.
Officials also announced an upcoming wildlife expedition to Tabin Wildlife Reserve in November 2025, where the eastern subpopulation of banteng numbering only about 50 individuals faces its greatest survival challenge.
WWF-Malaysia Sabah Head of Conservation Dr Robecca Jumin noted the collaborative nature of the conservation effort.
“The Bornean banteng is a symbol of Sabah’s rich biodiversity, and its protection requires strong collaboration between government, communities, and conservation partners,” she said.
The State Government revealed its participation in the Global Wildlife Program Malaysia, a USD 1.5 million initiative running from 2025 to 2028.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility and managed by the United Nations Development Programme, the project will focus on conserving banteng habitat in the Greater Maliau Basin through population monitoring, enhanced patrols and community-based conservation programs.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Mary Malangking, speaking on behalf of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, highlighted illegal hunting and snares as major threats to the species’ survival.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability announced plans to seek international recognition for Banteng Day through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Tabin Wildlife Reserve, identified as the last stronghold for the eastern banteng population, has become the focal point for conservation efforts involving habitat restoration, population monitoring and anti-poaching activities conducted by multiple agencies and conservation partners.
