thanks for posting the link Benzoo.
I find it quite creepy watching coloured documentry film of a probably extinct species, knowing that this will be the fate of many more species in the next few decades
I believe that piece of film was taken by the eminent kouprey researcher of the 50's and 60's. I can't remember his name, but I don't think he was a native Cambodian. The last confirmed sighting was in 1983, having only being scientifically described in 1937.
The background rockwork indicates the 'Vincennes Zoo.' But the animal in the picture has also in the past been suggested to be an emaciated Banteng or Gaur, or a bovine hybrid or cross of some sort. What is the current thinking about Kouprey as a genuine species?
Current research is that the Kouprey is a full species. There is fossil evidence dating back to the Pleistocene that is definitely Kouprey. What is interesting is that the Cambodian Banteng turns out the have crossed with ancient Koupreys several thousand years ago, so the Bantengs are actually the hybrids.
The animal in the picture is the type specimen sent by Dr Sauvel a French vet working in Cambodia. It shows a young male with under developed horns and dewlap. Fully mature males will have a dewlap that can touch the ground. The horns are really impressive too and probably the most massive of any wild cattle. The mature male's horns will have a characteristic fraying at the end, kind of like an ear of corn. Female's horns are completely different spiraling up for about 1 twist.
