Javan bison in Indonesia gives birth to third calf

China News Service, Jakarta, October 30 (Reporter Li Zhiquan) The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry announced on the 30th that the Panangzong Nature Reserve in Pangandaran, West Java Province, recently welcomed the third Javan bison calf. Currently, the number of Javan bison in the reserve has increased to seven.

The Javan bison is a large mammal unique to Southeast Asia and one of Indonesia's representative wild animals. Affected by illegal hunting, habitat loss and other factors, its population continues to decline. Its threat level has been adjusted from endangered to critically endangered, and it is currently listed as a critically endangered species in the "International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species". According to the Indonesian Forestry Ministry, the current number of adult Javan bison in the world is estimated to be only about 3,300.

The Phra Nangzong Nature Reserve was once an important habitat for the Javan gaur. In the 1980s, the local area suffered a volcanic eruption, which destroyed the pastures that the bison depended on and caused a sharp decline in the population. The Javan bison was last seen locally in 2003, and has not been found since.

A turning point will occur in December 2024. The Indonesian Forestry Ministry reintroduced 4 artificially bred Javan bison into the Panamzong Nature Reserve, including 2 males and 2 females, and established a semi-natural protection area locally to create conditions for the reproduction of Javan bison.

In July 2025, the female bison Uchi gave birth to her first calf. In August of the same year, another female bison, Bindi, also gave birth to a calf. On October 27 this year, Bindi gave birth to another cub, making new progress in the reproduction of the local Java bison population.

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry said the birth of the cubs reflects the government's efforts to protect native wildlife.

Currently, relevant departments are formulating management standards for the reintroduction of wild animals and developing a digital monitoring system to monitor the health, behavior and reproduction status of bison in real time and promote the continued recovery of local populations.