On January 22, monks and members of the Sorng Rukhavorn Forest Community spotted a female banteng with severely injured front leg, which they suspected had just escaped from a snare.
The animal was found on a cashew plantation in east Phnom Andong in Lomtong commune’s Kork Sompor village of Oddar Meanchey province’s Anlong Veng district.
Venerable Oem Soann, deputy head of the forest community, told The Post that the female banteng was limping due to the seriousness of its leg injuries.
The monks and community members decided to catch it and plan to hand it over to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC) in Takeo province’s Bati district, just outside the capital, to be examined and treated.
“We caught the banteng at around noon and we are looking for a way to transport it to the headquarters of our community to be handed over to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue team to be treated, otherwise she will die,” he said.
PTWRC director Nhek Ratanapich told The Post that he would send a team of experts to examine it and treat it in place if it is not serious.
“I will send a team of experts and veterinarians right now to check the condition of the banteng’s wounds. If it is slightly injured and still able to walk, we need to treat it there. But if it is severe and needs long-term treatment, we need to bring it to our centre because we have enough medical equipment here,” he said.
Try Sitheng, PTWRC’s head animal keeper, told The Post that he and his team were currently preparing medicines and equipment as well as the means to rescue the banteng.
Sitheng also said that one disabled male banteng, which was caught by the Prambei Mom Forest Community in Kampong Speu province’s Thpong district two weeks ago, died on January 18 due to its severe injuries.
