Recolonization of Former Range by Endangered BantengBosjavanicusin Mae Wong National Park, Thailand

Abstract

Many large ungulate species, including the banteng ( Bos javanicus), are on the verge of extinction. Mae Wong National Park in Thailand was once a haven for banteng due to its abundance of preferred habitat, but the species was extirpated in the 1970s due to logging and hunting, before park designation. Mae Wong is connected with Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (HKK), which retains the largest banteng population remaining in Thailand. In 2019, Mae Wong park rangers reported suspected banteng footprints near HKK. We used camera traps to verify the presence of banteng and determine their population structure and activity pattern. We observed at least nine individual bantengs (range 1–7 each month) during the 15-month survey, including three adult males, two adult females, three juveniles, and 1 calf. Solitary males and herds (up to five animals) were observed, reflecting typical social structure. Banteng were detected throughout the survey and across all seasons, suggesting a resident population. Our research confirms the return of banteng to Mae Wong after an absence of over 40 years. The banteng likely dispersed from HKK, emphasizing the importance of landscape connectivity and source sites for recovery of endangered species. Though still small, the Mae Wong population is breeding, which is significant for future population recovery. Protection, community outreach, and habitat management can help secure this population. As banteng is the preferred food of tigers, their recovery will benefit tiger conservation in Mae Wong as well.

Mapping threatened Thai bovids provides opportunities for improved conservation outcomes in Asia

“…Banteng populations and habitats in Southeast Asian islands (Borneo, Java, and Bali) are threatened due to hunting for horn and meat consumption and habitat loss (Dewi et al, 2020). In Thailand, we found high suitability similar to previous studies in Eastern (Menkham et al, 2019) and Western forest complexes (Jornburom et al, 2020), including reintroduction areas in Salak Pra WS (Chaiyarat et al, 2019) and where recent recolonisation by natural population movement has occurred in Mae Wong NP (Phoonjampa et al, 2021).…”

Spatial and Temporal Habitat Use by the Main Prey Species of Tigers in Two Protected Areas of Thailand’s Southern Western Forest Complex

“…Jornburom et al (2020) simulated a map of predicted occupancy for banteng in WEFCOM in the absence of poaching, and estimated ~6,400 km 2 of ecologically suitable habitat that could support reintroduction of banteng in other protected areas and reports banteng used low elevations and low slopes. Furthermore, Mae Wong National Park confirms the return of banteng after an absence of over 40 years, likely dispersed from HKK (Phoonjampa et al, 2021).…”

Seedling forage nutrition and spatial patterns of large prey mammals of tigers in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Thailand

“…The current results were consistent with those of Paansri et al (2022) and confirmed that the dry evergreen forest at Mun Sam Ngam is a suitable habitat for the large prey mammals of tigers. These results will inform future wildlife In future plans to restore the populations of large prey mammal species of tiger, research is increasingly identifying prey availability as a significant limitation to tiger recovery across its range in Thailand; tiger prey populations augmentation is seen as an important catalyst that may accelerate recovery (Jornburom et al, 2020;Phoonjampa et al, 2021;Phumanee et al, 2021). Therefore, the Mun Sam Ngam area could be used as a model for other areas of dry evergreen forest, because this habitat has a high abundance of the large prey mammal species.…”