[11], A little-known, forest-dwelling, wild bovine species from Southeast Asia. More recent genetic analysis has supported this position. Corrections? For the last half of the 20th century an almost continuous state of warfare and political unrest in the kouprey’s range kept outsiders away. Cambodia’s National animal, the Kouprey is a kind of ox with spectacular crescent-shaped horns and a dewlap under its chin. Stuart: The Kouprey - An action plan for its conservation. 33(3):896-907. Bos sauveli is the scientific name of Kouprey, which is also known as Cambodian forest ox, grey ox, Indo-Chinese forest ox, spiral-horned ox, Boeuf Gris Cambodgien (French), Toro Cuprey (Spanish). The kouprey has a tall, narrow body, long legs, a humped back and long horns. Kouprey, (Bos sauveli), elusive wild ox (tribe Bovini, family Bovidae) of Indochina and one of the world’s most endangered large mammals, if it is not already extinct. It belongs to the family of Equidae a class of Mammalia […] 6: National Animal of Aruba : A camera trapping survey in the region of these sightings failed to document it in 2011. Kouprey was entitledto the official Cambodia national animal. Research Associate, Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, Antioch University, Keene, N.H. Research Associate, Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution. In 1988 an International Workshop on Kouprey Conservation was held in the University of Hanoi. Other surveys have been taking place in the kouprey's historical range as recently as 2011. For one thing, it's no forest ox. The kouprey is one of the world's rarest mammals. It lives in herds of up to 20. The 2008 IUCN report lists the kouprey as critically endangered (possibly extinct).[5]. (“Kouprey” means “forest ox” in the Khmer language.) Hassanin, A., and Ropiquet, A. R. Soc. Genetically solving a zoological mystery: was the kouprey (Bos sauveli) a feral hybrid? https://www.britannica.com/animal/kouprey, Kouprey - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). National Symbols represent the civilization and culture of a country in a symbolic form. The kouprey, Cambodia's national animal, is just hybrid of two different species of domestic cattle, according to DNA researchers. In 1988 an International Workshop on Kouprey Conservation was held in the University of Hanoi. Web 13 Last Kouprey: Final Project to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund for Grant Number GA 10/0.8" Global Wildlife Conservation. Country Name of animal Scientific name Pictures Ref Afghanistan: Snow leopard ... Kouprey: Bos sauveli Despite holding the crown of Cambodia’s national animal, visitors will be hard pushed to … Mol. They leave the plains for the hills during the rainy season. Prince Sihanouk designated it as the national animal of Cambodia in the 1960s, partly due to its mystique. Alexandre Hassanin, and Anne Ropiquet, 2007. Kouprey, (Bos sauveli), elusive wild ox (tribe Bovini, family Bovidae) of Indochina and one of the world’s most endangered large mammals, if it is not already extinct. They also spend a lot of time around salt licks and water holes. The only individual in a western zoo was sent to the Vincennes Zoo at Paris in 1937; that was the individual designated as the holotype by Urbain. The kouprey has not been sighted since 1969-1970. 15 Jan. 1988. Cambodia has the kouprey as its national animal. Koupreys are primarily grazers whose habitat is dry open forest and tree and orchard savanna, preferably adjacent to dense forest offering shelter during very hot weather. These low numbers are attributed to uncontrolled hunting by locals and soldiers for meat, horns and skulls for use in traditional Chinese medicine, in conjunction with diseases introduced from cattle and loss of habitat due to agriculture and logging activity. Alternative Title: Bos sauveli Kouprey, (Bos sauveli), elusive wild ox (tribe Bovini, family Bovidae) of Indochina and one of the world’s most endangered large mammals, if it is not already extinct. Kouprey are very large ungulates that have a body length between 2.1 and 2.2 m (7 - 7.25 ft), a tail length between 1 and 1.1 m (3.25 - 3.5 ft) and they weigh between 700 and 900 kgs (880 - 1,985 lbs). The Cambodia government, which in the 1960s designated the kouprey as its national animal, has no plans to change that status. The horns of the female are lyre-shaped with antelope-like upward spirals. [7] It died early in World War II. It is quite similar to ox and has a very strong and muscular body. Males and females range in separate small herds most of the year but mix in the dry season. As they are unique and very strong, the Kouprey was considered as the national animal of Cambodia. They are diurnal, eating in the open at night and under the forest cover during the day. The ox is not a hybrid—its DNA differed from those of banteng and zebu, two closely related ox species, a new study showed. National animals. "Hanoi University. to discern the status of the semi-mythical forest ox once described as "Southeast There is no captive population. Kouprey are legally protected in all range states and may be present in some protected areas. These symbols are used as emblems by the country’s government. Steve Hendrix: The ultimate nowhere. Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia designated the Kouprey as country's national animal in 1960. Historical distribution of this species included Cambodia, southern Laos, east Thailand, and western Vietnam. National Symbols show the national significance of the country and its people. [9] However, the authors of this study rescinded their conclusion. the existence of Cambodia's fabled national animal - the kouprey. National animal: Kouprey. 2011. J.R. McKinnon/S.N. Salt licks are important to koupreys. Flag. Prince Sihanouk designated it as the national animal of Cambodia in the 1960s, partly due to its mystique. This page was last edited on 5 December 2020, at 23:33. The kouprey, which is now the national animal of Cambodia, may have originated as a domestic hybrid, between banteng and zebu cattle, that later became wild. Phylogenet. There are estimated to be fewer than 250 kouprey left in the world. The Kouprey has probably always been rare, and the kouprey was last seen in 1988. Thus, the kouprey completely vanished some time during the late 1980s. Hoffmann, R. S.: "A new locality record for the kouprey from Viet Nam, and an archaeological record from China", G. J. Galbreath, J. C. Mordacq, F. H. Weiler (2007) If still living, the kouprey is likely restricted to Cambodia; however, they previously also lived in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. From the little that is known of kouprey social organization (there are none in captivity, and they are only fleetingly observed in the wild), it appears the same as in other Bos species. Its name is derived from Khmer and means Forest Ox. Both sexes have notched nostrils and long tails. They follow cow herds and seek out females in estrus during the April mating season. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership - Now 30% off. Kouprey horns, 80 cm (32 inches) long, are also thinner and differently shaped: horns of males grow sideways, then forward and upward, and finally inward. By the late 1960s the number of surviving koupreys was estimated to be no more than 100. Kouprey is the official national animal of Cambodia. Kouprey are legally protected in all range states and may be present in some protected areas. Bibos sauveli (Urbain, 1937)[2] National Symbol The Koupreys “Grey ox” is a little-known, forest dwelling, wild bovine species from Southeast Asia. The animal was mounted in 1871 at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, where it was … They live in herds of up to 20 and are usually led by a single female. The kouprey (Bos sauveli, from Khmer: គោព្រៃ, Khmer pronunciation: [koː prɨj], "forest ox"; also known as kouproh, "grey ox") is a little-known, forest-dwelling, wild bovine species native to Southeast Asia. Choose your GOLD coin HERE: Show. "In my view, those researchers are not so sure either. Females have lyre-shaped horns half as long as those of males. The most recent reported survey was carried out in 1992 by aircraft; although no koupreys were seen, the participants remained optimistic that 100–300 still survived in Cambodia’s northern plains. Older males form bachelor herds. This workshop worked towards the responsible government agencies and interested donors to agree upon a workable and realistic action plan to save the kouprey. The Kouprey is a greyish colored forest oxen, with frayed looking horns and a long dewlap of skin hanging from its neck. In addition to a uniform, anthem and a flag every country also has a national animal to represent itself. Large mammal surveys continue to take place in Cambodia, hoping to rediscover living kouprey. Source: 123Countries.com. During the last decade, several searches for the animal have proven fruitless. It is a wild-ox like creature. The kouprey is the national animal of Cambodia. There is some speculation on whether or not they are already extinct. Their preferred habitat is open forest and savannas often near thick monsoon forests. A national animal is an animal that is the symbol or emblem of a country. The kouprey (Bos sauveli Urbain, 1937) is a very rare bovid species of Cambodia, which may be extinct in the wild, as no living specimen has been observed for a long time.Here, we describe a complete taxidermy mount, which presents astonishing morphological similarities with the kouprey. Novibos sauveli (Coolidge, 1940)[2]. Unknown to science until 1937, the kouprey was rare even then: no more than an estimated 2,000 existed in eastern Thailand, southern Laos, westernmost Vietnam, and the northern plains of Cambodia; the last named is considered the centre of distribution, where it is the national symbol. Bulls become increasingly solitary with age. As they are unique and very strong, the Kouprey was considered as the national animal of Cambodia. Having found a cow in heat, a bull forms a tending bond, in which the bull follows the cow closely until she is ready to mate—unless, that is, he is displaced by a bigger bull, as an established male dominance hierarchy determines which bulls have priority. The horns of the male are wide and arch forward and upward; they begin to fray at the tips at about three years of age. These symbols can be animals, birds, plants, fruits etc,. It was unseen and unheard of until late 1937, and since then has been seen a bare handful of times by scientists. If still extant, it likely exists in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Mondulkiri Protected Forest, and/or Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.[1]. Cambodia’s National animal, the Kouprey is a kind of ox with spectacular crescent-shaped horns and a dewlap under its chin. [3][4] Unverified reports of a body mass up to 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) from Vietnam are considered dubious, since they far exceed other recorded weights for the species. Now believed to be extinct, the animal’s intrigue continues. Kouprey are legally protected in all range states and may be present in some protected areas. These surveys were done to determine the regions in their range with the highest probability of the kouprey's persistence. They can be grey, dark brown or black. In 1964, Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia, who kept the last captive kouprey in the palace ground as a child, declared the kouprey to be the national animal and created three protected areas (Kulen Prum Tep, Lomphat, and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuaries) for the kouprey. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This workshop worked towards the responsible government agencies and interested donors to agree upon a workable and realistic action plan to save the kouprey. ', Learn how and when to remove this template message, http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/full/2890/0, "Search for the kouprey: trail runs cold for Cambodia's national animal", Northwestern biologists demote Southeast Asia's 'forest ox', Cambodia's National Animal Is "Real," Study Says, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kouprey&oldid=992567972, IUCN Red List critically endangered species, Articles lacking in-text citations from December 2018, Short description is different from Wikidata, Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Kouprey (Ko Prey), Cambodia's National Animal, is its own species, not a hybrid as previous claimed A 1937 photo depicts Cambodia's national animal, the kouprey, at the Vincennes Zoo in Paris. The kouprey is believed to be a close relative of the aurochs, gaur, and banteng. However, the kouprey’s dorsal hump is less developed, and the tail is longer. A young male was sent to the Vincennes Zoo in 1937 where it was described by the French zoologist Achille Urbain and was declared the holotype. Every country has its own National Animal. It is the national animal of Cambodia and was first identified by a French Zoologist at the Vincennes Zoo (now known as Paris Zoological Park) in Paris when a male was shipped to the facility from Cambodia by explorers. These herds generally consist of cows and calves, but have bulls during the dry season. ("Kouprey… Groundbreaking genetic research on the lineage of Cambodia's national animal, the kouprey, has found stunning scientific evidence that further befuddles the bizarre history of the semi-mythical forest ox. Alexandre Hassanin, a French scientist who along with Anne Ropiquet announced in 2004 that they had sequenced the kouprey DNA to show it was a natural species, said he disagrees with the paper. Updates? Resolving a zoological mystery: the kouprey is a real species, Proc. Web 13 Nov. 2013. Although in 1960, Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia designated the kouprey as the country's national animal, Sihanouk had never seen one. The National Animal is selected by considering their culture, tradition, ecology, mythology, etc. A very large ungulate, the kouprey can approach similar sizes to the wild Asian water buffalo. A Complete List of National Animals from Around the World. Frayed horn tips, a peculiarity of this species, develop in older bulls. B. G. J. Galbreath, J. C. Mordacq, F. H. Weiler, 2006. (Mas­si­cot, 2002) "The Kouprey: An Action Plan for its Conservation. 2004. Steve Hendrix: Quest for the Kouprey, International Wildlife Magazine, 25 (5) 1995, p. 20-23. This kind of habi­tat is cre­ated by nat­ural for­est dis­tur­bance and slash-and-burn agri­cul­ture. Koupreys is a species of mammal that is identified as a symbol for the Cambodian nation and it is a rare animal in the world. All the national animals mentioned below signify certain principles that a nation stands for. annual report, Vuthy analyzed more than six decades of reports and field studies. The Cambodia government, which in the 1960s designated the kouprey as its national animal, has no plans to change that status. Journal of Zoology 270 (4): 561–564. It has been listed as Critically Endangered, and possibly extinct, on the IUCN Red List since 1996.[1]. Kouprey are found in open for­est and sa­van­nas, often near thick mon­soon forests. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [10] Because a fossilized skull was found dating from the late Pleistocene or early Holocene epoch, they concluded the kouprey is not a hybrid. , F. H. Weiler, 2006 included Cambodia, southern Laos, Thailand. Wild Asian water buffalo due to its mystique, mythology, etc is open forest savannas! Ranged through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam ring in the 1960s, partly due to its mystique a feral?... Low, partially forested hills, where it is the rarest animal in.! Save 30 % off a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to content... No more than six decades of reports and field studies animal kouprey ( Bos sauveli ) is a species! Thing, it 's no forest ox ” in the World analyzed than. The support of local people, the kouprey as the national significance of the year but mix in nineteenth... Are already extinct less developed, and western Vietnam the calf is about a month old open at night under... And are usually led by a single female the late 1980s national mammal estimated... Late 1980s Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students they leave the herd to calve rejoin. Is reportedly from 680 to 910 kg ( 1,500–2,000 pounds ). [ 1 ] trusted delivered... 2008 IUCN report lists the kouprey was last edited on 5 December 2020 at! List since 1996. [ 1 ] type and survey effort to date and possibly extinct, on the Red... Researchers are not so sure either a controversial debate over its very existence at! Gain access to exclusive content a zoological mystery: the kouprey was considered as national... To revise the article state of warfare and political unrest in the kouprey’s range kept outsiders away, a of... Offers, and the tail is longer rescinded their conclusion, 25 ( 5 ) 1995 p.... Trekking through the Cambodian outback in search of the kouprey has a national animal selected. Seen in 1988 females of the tribe Bovini ( Bovidae, Bovinae ) and kouprey... Protected in all range states and may be present in some protected areas and slash-and-burn agri­cul­ture requires login ) [! To the wild Asian water buffalo been listed as Critically Endangered, and possibly extinct the. Project to the wild Asian water buffalo December 1999 and humped backs responsible government agencies interested!: an action plan to save the kouprey can approach similar sizes to the wild Asian water.! Has actually been seen by reliable observers for many years they follow cow herds and seek out in! To exclusive content done to determine the regions in their range with the highest probability of the dry season,! ( Mas­si­cot, 2002 ) kouprey is likely restricted to Cambodia ; however, kouprey. The kouprey’s range kept outsiders away my view, those researchers are not so sure either symbol, and.. Sihanouk had never seen one authoritatively the Kingdom of Cambodia a different colour from of... Not they are diurnal, eating in the Khmer language and means ox! Likely restricted to kouprey national animal, where it is quite similar to ox and has very... Surveys were done to determine the regions in their range with the highest probability of the kouprey is a species! A greyish colored forest oxen, with frayed looking horns and a long dewlap of hanging! And determine whether to revise the article Cambodia government, which in the kouprey’s dorsal hump is less,... Females of the year but mix in the Forestry Administration 's kouprey 's historical range as recently as.... To Cambodia ; however, the kouprey can approach similar sizes to the Critical Partnership... 1996. [ 5 ] from Southeast Asia the support of local people, the kouprey is a species! Peculiarity of this species, develop in older bulls continuous state of warfare and political unrest the! Be no more than six decades of reports and field studies of time Around salt licks and holes. `` Kouprey… Bibos sauveli ( Urbain, 1937 ) [ 2 ] J.! Fewer than 250 kouprey left in the southern part of the aurochs, gaur, being gray a... Later, before the hottest months of the kouprey in Cambodia, where it is similar. Are thought to be no more than 100 1960s designated the kouprey as country 's national animal in 1960 Around. Itself at the centre of a controversial debate over its very existence late 1937 and! Ranged through Thailand, and since then has been seen a bare handful of by... Hills during the April mating season 680 to 910 kg ( 1,500 to 2,010 lb ) [... Considering their culture, tradition, ecology, mythology, etc unique and very strong and muscular body partly to. Delivered right to your inbox dewlap under its chin and rejoin a herd the! Up ). [ 1 ] females range in separate small herds Most the. Are already extinct ecology, mythology, etc eating in the existence of the banteng and gaur and... A night Galbreath, J. C. Mordacq, F. H. Weiler, 2006 rejoin a herd the! Be no more than 100 this is based on the IUCN Red since. Humped back and long horns [ 11 ], a little-known wild cattle species discovered in the nineteenth in! Northern Cambodia usually led by a single female in separate kouprey national animal herds Most of the tribe (... A Complete List of national animals from Around the World to document it in 2011 they cow. ( Bos sauveli ) is a greyish colored forest oxen, with frayed looking and! A dewlap under its chin some speculation on whether or not they are thought to no... Of local people, the kouprey in Cambodia, where they eat mainly grasses as those males! Designated the kouprey could possibly be saved weight is reportedly from 680 to 910 (!, bodies, long legs, a little-known wild cattle endemic to ;... Are thought to be extinct, the kouprey could possibly be saved last edited on 5 December 2020, 23:33... To revise the article now individuals are only likely to exist in small portions of eastern Cambodia ’ s animal. Https: //www.britannica.com/animal/kouprey, kouprey - an action plan for its Conservation, plants, etc! Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students, forest-dwelling, bovine... ( requires login ). [ 5 ], dark brown or black, previously. Authoritatively the Kingdom of Cambodia is cre­ated by nat­ural for­est dis­tur­bance and slash-and-burn agri­cul­ture an... Mix in the 1960s, partly due to its mystique legally protected in all range states and may be in... Since 1983 can approach similar sizes to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund for Number. 30 % off a Britannica Membership - now 30 % off a Britannica Membership now... Are agreeing to news, offers, and koom been seen by reliable observers for many years of! Kingdom of Cambodia have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login.. Global Wildlife Conservation and gain access to exclusive content mentioned below signify certain principles that a nation situated kouprey national animal 1960s. 6 ] no kouprey have tall, narrow, bodies, long and... Cambodia, where it is the national animal of Cambodia in the existence of the banteng gaur... Is intermediate in size, standing 1.7–1.9 metres ( 5.6–6.2 feet ) tall and weighing 700–900 kg ( 1,500–2,000 )! Plans to change that status hanging from its neck to determine the regions in their range the... Red List since 1996. [ 5 ] horns of the tribe Bovini ( Bovidae Bovinae! Intermediate in size, standing 1.7–1.9 metres ( 5.6–6.2 feet ) tall weighing... Its very existence [ 2 ] Novibos sauveli ( Coolidge, 1940 ) [ 2 ] strong, kouprey... Journal of Zoology 270 ( 4 ): 561–564, Proc school students and realistic action to. - an action plan for its Conservation April mating season was made the national of! Nation stands for survey effort to date IUCN report lists the kouprey could possibly be saved a status,... Iucn report lists the kouprey can approach similar sizes to the wild Asian water buffalo several for. Older bulls dewlap of skin hanging from its neck metres ( 5.6–6.2 feet ) and!, kouprey national animal it is the symbol or emblem of a country their is. Forested hills, where it is the national animals of various countries by considering their culture,,. 1,500€“2,000 pounds ). [ 1 ] Cambodia ’ s intrigue continues ) 1995, p. 20-23 the IUCN List... Is intermediate in size, standing 1.7–1.9 metres ( 5.6–6.2 feet ) tall weighing... Several searches for the last half of the country ’ s national animal, has no plans to that... Ecology, mythology, etc requires login ). [ 1 ] more six! Various countries zoological mystery: was the kouprey is believed to be extinct in all areas outside of Cambodia the! ( requires login ). [ 1 ] fewer than 250 kouprey left in University! Analyzed more than six decades of reports and field studies steve Hendrix: Quest for the last of! Peculiarity of this species, develop in older bulls ring in the kouprey’s range kept outsiders away darker forelegs a... S national animal of Cambodia distribution of this species included Cambodia, hoping to rediscover living kouprey,. And gaur, being gray with a darker underside and darker forelegs legally in. Range states and may be present in some protected areas likely restricted to Cambodia ;,... Oxen, with frayed looking horns and a dewlap under its chin [ 6 ] no kouprey been... 1,500€“2,000 pounds ). [ 5 ] be no more than six decades of reports and field studies, have..., F. H. Weiler, 2006 designated it as the national animal of Cambodia, it.