Phnom penh: A significant population of the critically endangered Banteng has been documented in Cambodia, confirmed the Wildlife Alliance on Monday.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the discovery was made during camera-trap monitoring conducted by the organisation’s Community Conservation Support (CCS) team. While the precise location remains undisclosed to protect the species, Wildlife Alliance hailed the finding as an encouraging sign for the survival prospects of Eld’s deer in the country.

The species, which has seen its population decline by more than 50 percent in recent decades, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Banteng face severe threats from illegal hunting, including for consumption, sport, and their horns, along with critical habitat loss, fragmentation, and vulnerability to disease across their range.

The organisation further noted that conservation efforts are vital to sustaining the population. While natural waterholes provide essential resources during the dry season, the CCS team has established man-made ponds to ensure a crucial year-round water supply for wildlife within the protected areas.