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Wild Cattle Program

Supporting the recovery of wild cattle and ungulate populations while protecting important forest habitats.

Program overview

Vietnam is home to many large hoofed mammals with special ecological value, including the gaur – recognized as the world's largest wild cattle species. However, wild cattle populations have declined severely due to habitat loss, forest fragmentation, illegal hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.

In 2025, Conservation Vietnam advanced the development of the Vietnam Wild Cattle Program with the participation of the Center for Conservation and Development (CCD), laying the scientific and strategic foundation for long-term recovery of gaur (Bos gaurus) and banteng (Bos javanicus) populations.

The program focuses on Ea So Nature Reserve, which still holds one of the largest remaining banteng populations, and the Dong Nai–Cat Tien landscape, where habitat conditions are suitable for gaur recovery and future banteng rewilding assessment.

Protected focus species

GaurBos gaurus

The largest wild cattle species in nature, with a powerful body, dark brown to black coat, and distinctive white lower legs. Both males and females have large curved horns. Adult males can reach up to 2m in size and weigh more than 1 ton. Gaur play an important role in maintaining forest ecosystem structure.

BantengBos javanicus

Smaller than gaur, with coloration that varies by sex: adult males are often dark brown or black, while females are reddish brown. Both have distinctive white legs and slender curved horns. The species faces a sharp decline in the wild.

Conservation effect

A national science-based program to recover wild cattle populations and help restore the ecological function of key forest ecosystems.

Expected outcomes

  1. Establish baseline data on gaur and banteng populations and habitats.
  2. Strengthen protection systems and reduce key threats.
  3. Assess feasibility for conservation breeding and future rewilding.
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Ready to contribute?

Join Conservation Vietnam in funding the next phase of this program.

Thank you for your support

Total support recorded to date (VND)3,164,200

Donation list

No.DonorDonated AmountDonated ProgramDonated Time
1TRAN MANH KHANG30,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 9:05 PM04/06/26 - 21:05
2VO HOANG TUAN500,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 8:17 PM04/06/26 - 20:17
3PHAM HOANG MINH40,251 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 7:39 PM04/06/26 - 19:39
4TRUONG MINH DAI TRI100,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 7:36 PM04/06/26 - 19:36
5LE THI HOANG OANH100,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 7:03 PM04/06/26 - 19:03
6LE THI THANH HONG50,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 6:56 PM04/06/26 - 18:56
7DOAN THI KIM ANH50,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 6:55 PM04/06/26 - 18:55
8PHAM NHAT MINH AN18,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 5:41 PM04/06/26 - 17:41
9NGUYEN CHI HIEU200,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 5:12 PM04/06/26 - 17:12
10VO MINH TAM10,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 5:11 PM04/06/26 - 17:11
11NGUYEN NHAT DUY AN1,000,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 5:00 PM04/06/26 - 17:00
12MAI GIA HAN50,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 4:47 PM04/06/26 - 16:47
13TONG HOANG MINH HAO10,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 4:36 PM04/06/26 - 16:36
14NGUYEN TRANG ANH100,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 4:27 PM04/06/26 - 16:27
15DOAN NGOC THAO NGUYEN50,000 VNDWild Cattle ProgramJun 4, 2026, 4:11 PM04/06/26 - 16:11