Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Banteng Domestication Conservation at Baluran was held on October 24, 2017, at BBIB Singosari. The meeting was opened by the Head of BBIB Singosari and attended by the University of Jember team (Dr. W. Subchan, MS, PhD as Vice Rector I, Dr. Maulana MSc, Dr. Hidayat Teguh W), Head of Animal Health Department of Situbondo Regency Livestock Office, Secretary of Situbondo Regency, Structural and Functional representatives from BBIB Singosari. The objectives of this FGD are (1) assessment, research, and development to conserve banteng (2) Implementation of community service to execute, strengthen, and ensure the sustainability of banteng's existence (3) Joint publication of findings – research, studies, and community service results – to enhance awareness and involvement of all components in sustainable banteng conservation.

Head of BBIB Singosari explained that the institution's task and function involve preservation through safeguarding the genetic material of endangered livestock by collecting and storing it in the form of frozen semen. Meanwhile, the University of Jember team presented in their presentation that current in-situ conservation of banteng in Baluran National Park is necessary through the establishment of conservation areas by the Local Government. This action is taken due to the critical status of the banteng population, its high socio-cultural value, and its genetic diversity.

To support these efforts, the University of Jember (Unej) has taken concrete steps: (1) collaboration through an MOU with the Situbondo Regent for searching and gathering information on Baluran banteng, followed by identification, characterization, inventory, and evaluation. (2) Cooperation with the Provincial Governments of Bali and East Java to introduce Bali female cattle to enhance banteng's genetic diversity.

Unej also reported that in the Karang Tekok Hamlet area of Baluran National Park, there are not only banteng but also around 3000 head of local managed PO cattle. Therefore, it's hoped that this team can provide guidance through livestock farming by optimizing AI intensification and feeding technology, ultimately turning the region into a meat and livestock feed industry in the future.

In the discussion session, each institution agreed to collaborate, taking responsibility for optimizing banteng conservation and domestication activities. The readiness of the Situbondo Regency Local Government includes regulatory support for banteng development and conservation, developing Baluran National Park tourism, and implementing AI and livestock feed development. Baluran National Park will provide pure breed banteng, utilize existing land for banteng development, and allocate gentong land for feed industry development. The University of Jember will conduct studies on banteng domestication conservation and sociology, livestock technology and animal health, introduce Bali cattle from Bali Province to enhance banteng's genetic diversity, and involve students in conservation activities. BBIB Singosari will support through preserving banteng's genetic material by collecting and storing frozen semen, providing crossbred banteng frozen semen, enhancing staff and community competency by offering expert human resources for livestock development in Baluran National Park.

During the midday break, the group visited all areas of BBIB Singosari, including the green livestock feed garden, feed processing area, superior sire cattle barn, storage area, frozen semen production laboratory, sperm bank, and marketing office, ending at the AI museum. (AW)