Bos sauveli Urbain 1937
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Bovidae
Bos
Bos sauveli

description: 3.
Kouprey
Bos sauveli
French: Kouprey / German: Kouprey / Spanish: Kuprey
Other common names: Gray Ox, Indochinese Forest Ox
Taxonomy. Bos sauveli Urbain, 1937,
Cambodia, near Tchep Village.
An early genetic study, using mtDNA, suggested that Kouprey is not a valid species but rather a result of relatively recent hybridization among some South-east Asian domestic and wild cattle such as the Banteng (B. javanicus). More convincing evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA supports its status as a species forming a clade with Banteng and Gaur (B. gaurus), despite some interbreeding at least with Banteng. Perhaps domesticated in the past. Monotypic.
Distribution. Historically thought to occur in Cambodia, S Laos, SE Thailand, and W Vietnam, but perhaps wider. If still extant in the wild, probably restricted to several protected areas in E Cambodia.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 210-220 cm, tail 100-110 cm, shoulder height 170-190 cm; weight 700-900 kg. Male Koupreys are black to dark brown except for white/ grayish leggings; female Koupreys are grayish with paler underparts; very young Koupreys are reddish-brown, with both sexes becoming pale on the flanks. Both sexes have a dewlap (flap of skin) under their necks; it is much longer in males—up to 43 cm and almost to the ground in older males. The black muzzle of males has a dark chestnut brown area around it, as do the eyes. The wide-spreading black horns of male Koupreys curve outward and forward with shredded or frayed ends, to a degree that is unique among Bovidae (slight shredding of horn tip is sometimes seen in male Wisent, B. bonasus), and they may grow to 81 cm with a spread of 84 cm (based on one specimen). The horns of mature males in cross section are triangular and flat for the first 300 mm, and then they become round; heavy ridges extend along the ventral surface and a knife-life keel extends along the posterior edge for about 300 mm. The horns of females are smaller, more twisted, and lyre-sshaped. The nostril has a distinctive notch. Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 32. Maxillary tooth row is shorter in Kouprey than in other Asian cattle.
Habitat. Koupreys are said to primarily use open deciduous forests interspersed with open grasslands and savannas with scattered trees. Such areas are usually flat to rolling lowlands with seasonal climate and less than 2000 mm of precipitation per year. Koupreys may use habitat mosaics that include semi-evergreen forests and will move a kilometer or more through dense forest to find foraging habitat with less overstory cover. Standing water and mineral licks are presumed to be important to Koupreys, and water can offer a refuge from predators.
Food and Feeding. Herbivorous, presumably like other wild Asian cattle that eat a variety of grasses, sedges, herbaceous species, and some browse. The shredded ends of the horns may be caused by digging for tubers, or related to behaviors associated with the breeding season. The Kouprey has been described as a cautious feeder, making careful observations before advancing, and often doubling back. This may be a sign of human persecution rather than their general behavior.
Breeding. There is very little specific information available for this species, but presumably like other wild Asian cattle. Breeding activities are probably most concentrated in April. Females leave their group to give birth and may not return for a month. A single calf per adult female is born from December to February. Calves are born reddishbrown but become grayish if female and blackish if male at 4-5 months;little horns are apparent by six months of age.
Activity patterns. There is very little specific information available for this species, but presumably like other wild Asian cattle with alternating patterns of feeding and ruminating/ rest. Koupreys bed in tight circles in early afternoon and become active in late afternoon and evening.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Koupreys may wander up to 15 km / night in search of forage and may move to higher elevations in the rainy season. They occur in small but non-cohesive groups that may be as large as 20 during the rainy season, often led by an old female. Males occur in bachelor groups outside of the breeding season. In the past, Koupreys were observed among herds of Bantengs particularly after the breeding season of both species.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Koupreys have not been observed in the wild since the 1960s, and no individuals exist in captivity. Habitat destruction and poaching for use in traditional medicine and as trophies are largely responsible for the demise of the Kouprey. Because of the rarity (or possible extinction) of the Kouprey, surveys may be unproductive, and conservation efforts should focus on protection and recovery of habitats in eastern Cambodia that benefit large mammal communities in general.
Bibliography. Coolidge (1940), Diolo (1995), Duckworth, Salter & Khounboline (1999), Duckworth, Timmins et al. (1994), Francis (2008), Galbreath et al. (2006, 2007), Gripson (2007), Hassanin & Ropiquet (2004, 2007a, 2007b), Huffman (2004g), MacKinnon & Stuart (1989), Pfeffer & Ou (1967), Timmins, Hedges & Duckworth (2008), Wharton (1957, 1968).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, pp. 444-779 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 574-575, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6512484