13/06/2011 (Bernama) - The Bornean banteng, an endangered wild cattle species, will be the focus of a project that is expected to assist the Sabah Wildlife Department develop a State action plan in an effort to further protect the mammal.

The department's director Dr Laurentius Ambu said the Bornean Banteng Programme conducted with the Danau Girang Field Centre and non-governmental organisation HUTAN, would advance understanding and conservation of the still relatively unknown mammal species.

"The result of this programme will assist our Department develop a State action plan for all banteng across Sabah, and will hopefully increase awareness and appreciation of the wonderful wildlife that Sabah is blessed with and one that we should protect against poaching, habitat degradation and habitat loss," Laurentius said in a statement on Sunday.

The Programme is funded by Houston Zoo, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Woodland Park Zoo.

The department will also collaborate with several partners including the Sabah Forestry Department, New Forests Asia Sdn Bhd, the Malua Biobank Project, Cardiff University, and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research on the project.