Cambodia's first helicopter relocation of endangered banteng deemed a success

The Star

22-05-2025

One of the critically endangered banteng that was relocated, thanks to the use of helicopters. - Rising Phoenix
PHNOM PENH: Sixteen banteng (Bos javanicus), one of the world's most critically endangered species, have been successfully relocated to a safe sanctuary, thanks to the use of helicopters. This was the first time this kind of operation has been conducted in Cambodia, reported social enterprise Rising Phoenix on Wednesday (May 21).
The historic translocation operation took place from May 12 to 15, and saw 16 animals relocated to the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary (SPWS) — a protected area spanning more than 130,000 hectares in Stung Treng province.
Banteng, a species of wild cattle, were recently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species has declined throughout its range as a result of snaring and hunting. This project aims to re-establish a viable population in the sanctuary.
The operation was carefully planned and executed by Rising Phoenix/Siem Pang Conservation under the guidance of the Stung Treng governor's office together provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the provincial Department of Environment, the military police and the administrations of Borey O'svay Senchey and Siem Pang districts.
The success of the operation has set an important precedent for future relocation efforts. Rising Phoenix
After locating the herd, forces from the military police, forestry officials and environment rangers, together with Rising Phoenix staff, worked to prevent threats from poaching. Once sufficient resources were secured, they launched the capture and translocation operation.
The success of the operation has set an important precedent for future relocation efforts. - Rising Phoenix
The operation involved a helicopter from Helistar Cambodia, two skilled helicopter pilots, advisors from Conservation Solutions, the leading wildlife capture specialists and more than 30 Rising Phoenix ground staff members, including a veterinarian.
In preparation for capture, Rising Phoenix constructed a mass-capture funnel trap, or boma, in the forest. The banteng were guided into the trap by the helicopter and loaded into a specially prepared transport truck.
Of the sixteen banteng, eleven were female. The herd consisted of one adult bull, eight adult females, five juveniles and two calves.
Each of the animals was transported within three hours of capture and released into the sanctuary, where they will be monitored and protected.
'This operation marks a significant achievement in wildlife conservation in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, representing the first ever mass-capture using a helicopter and the first time banteng have been caught and translocated using this method,' noted Rising Phoenix.
The helicopter was used to coral the animals into a mass-capture funnel trap, or boma. Rising Phoenix
The success of the approach demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in protecting endangered species. Importantly, it opens the way for further such operations to relocate banteng trapped in isolated forest patches elsewhere in the country.
Stung Treng governor Sor Soputra praised the success of the operation and commended the task force for capturing and relocating the deer from areas under threat from poachers to a protected and secure location.
The operation was funded by Rising Phoenix in collaboration with Cartier for Nature and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN