The Aurochs -Wild cattle for Europe backbreeding: the TaurOs Taurus Foundation/TAUROS EUROPE

The Aurochs -WThe Aurochs -Wild ild cattlecattle

for Europe backbreedingfor Europe backbreeding: the TaurOs: the TaurOs

Taurus Foundation/TAUROS EUROPE Taurus Foundation/TAUROS EUROPE

DistributionDistribution

Red area represents the range of Bos Primigenius Primigenius; the Aurochs subspecies that is our focus

MorphologyMorphology

The Aurochs

was a big animal was a slender animal had long legs had a big, long and slender face showed sexual dimorphism in color Aurochs bulls stood showed sexual dimorphism in height between 160 and 185

cm was big horned high at the shoulders.

Some 20 to 50 cm taller

than many modern bovines

Morphology, examplesMorphology, examples

Sexual dimorphism

Big size

Hornform

IntroductionIntroduction TAUROS Europe/Taurus foundation; Our goal: to enhance natural processes (i.e.

herbivory/grazing) in Dutch/European nature; Our means: a herd of cattle and horses/ponies of

over 600 animals (700 cattle, 100 horses/ponies); Total managed area: about 2.500 ha in the

Netherlands (Taurus foundation), ready for Europe (TAUROS Europe);

Experience: more than 20 years of experience; Cooperation: Ark Nature (Nl), Rewilding Europe &

others (EU); Clients: National forestry service, other nature

organizations, municipalities, for ‘grazing’;

Wild cattleWild cattle

For feral grazing breeds have to be: Self-sufficient; Fattening up easily in summer/harvest and be

(winter)hardy; Using a broad variety of vegetation (eating grass, but

also some browsing); Able to adapt to changing and fluctuating

circumstances; Easy calving; Extensively managable; In general: fit for purpose;

Many present day breeds are too specialized for a complete self-sufficient feral grazing system.

The alternative: TaurOs The alternative: TaurOs project project

Goal: The breeding and distribution of a

complete self sufficient cattle breed as the best alternative for the extinct Aurochs the: TaurOs;

Based on scientific evidence: the same ecological role, same appearance and close to the genetic constitution;

Applicable in public natural areas (at least in Nl);

The Aurochs as a reference.

Why? Why?

The domesticated cattle breeds have disadvantages;

Free roaming cattle is a key species for European nature and could be the crown on a successfull Rewilding Initiative;

We (the people behind the project) would be very pleased if this project proves to be successfull;

Scientifically spoken there are challenges and opportunities: but it will at least lead to a better understanding of (wild) cattle.

Can it be done? Can it be done?

There is far more knowledge on the Aurochs than in the early 20th century: Historical records (Greek, Roman medieval

Polish and German sources); Archaeozoology from all over Europe (skeletons,

horns, skulls, jaws); Isotope studies (feeding patern, ecology); Neolithic art (cave paintings, rock carvings); Historical art (drawings, statues, etc); Modern genetics: mtDNA of Aurochs is available,

work on nuclear DNA is being done;So yes, we think it can be done.

ReferenceReference

The project step by stepThe project step by step

1) Determining the characteristics of the Aurochs (by a scientific committee);

2) A selection of European bovine breeds with at least some of the right characteristics (about 30 breeds);

3) The collection of ancient bone (and other) material from the Aurochs (from several European locations). Extraction and analyses of the ancient-DNA as a genetic reference. Technically difficult;

4) The breeding programme, worked out into breeding plans for different European locations. Use of local breeds if possible;

5) Monitoring and evaluation: re-iterating loop of the breeding process.

Where do we stand?Where do we stand?

2008: Start of the project, forming of the scientific committee;

2009: Selection European breeds, importing most promising breeds (s.a. Maremmana primitivo);

2010: Introduction of first crossbreeds in public nature areas;

2011/2012: DNA-extraction and analyses (voorjaar 2011). Scaling up genetic research;

2009-2012: ‘Broad’ crossings so we can select later on. ‘No regret’-steps.

Some cattle breedsSome cattle breedsMaremmana ‘primitiva’ (Italy) Pajuna (Southern Spain) Limia (Northwestern Spain)

Maronesa (Northern Portugal) Podolica (Italy) Sayaguesa (north-central Spain)

ResultsResults

Broad international publicity (Time magazine, National Geographic, Volkskrant (national Dutch newspaper);

Genetic research;The first crossbreds (natural

crossings, artificial insemination, embryo-transplantation).

The F1: DonThe F1: Don’’t they look t they look nice?nice?

Different breedsDifferent breeds

Maremmana & Limia

Different breedsDifferent breeds

Podolica & Pajuna

Different breedsDifferent breeds

Maronesa

CrossbredsCrossbreds

Highlander x Maremmana

CrossbredsCrossbreds

Pajuna x Maremmana & Limia x Maremmana

Crossbreds: Maremmana x PajunaCrossbreds: Maremmana x Pajuna

Results: herd in transitionResults: herd in transition

Desired end resultDesired end result

Photo

manipulations

© Daniel Foidl

Artist Impressions

© Thomas Hammond

Future image?Future image?