A banteng attacked a 62-year-old man from Kampong Cham commune in Kratie province’s Sambor district on March 30, leaving him unconscious.

Commune chief Chhit Norn said the incident happened in the Prey Chorb area of Prey Lang forest in Yeav village as the man, Duong Khorn, was searching for bees.

“When he came out of the forest, a banteng was running towards him and his motorbike and then attacked him. But he managed to ride away to get help from environmental officers not far from the scene and fainted.

“His left abdomen was injured and he was taken to Kratie Provincial Referral Hospital,” he said.

Chhit said the man was a poor farmer and looked for bees to earn extra money.

Commune police chief Sok Narath said banteng could become aggressive due to hot weather or if people tried to take its food.

“In the past, I have met bantengs but I stood 40m away from them. They are just looking for food and I just went on my way. I have never met such a ferocious banteng like this one before. Maybe it was the hot weather or it was looking for food,” he said.

According to Sok Narath, bantengs, roe deers and gaurs live in the Prey Lang area.