One Planet News: An incarnation of an Auroch to be released in Scotland
Bigger, and bolder - how tauros may reshape the land
By Annette J Beveridge
AN ANCIENT woodland close to the western shores of Loch Ness will soon become home to an animal bred specifically to resemble a species long extinct thanks to a conservation charity.
Aurochs (an ancient cattle breed) used to roam across Britain but disappeared around 1,300 BC. These were one of Europe’s largest land animals and the third heaviest following the woolly mammoth and woolly rhinoceros. The species also roamed extensively across Western Europe, North Africa, East Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Once a keystone species, aurochs were the wild ancestor of all domestic cattle and favoured a variety of habitats including forests, wetlands and grasslands.
Hunting and habitat loss led to its demise worldwide.
The last of the aurochs died in Poland in 1627 but DNA has survived in various ancient original cattle breeds.
Scientists from the Netherlands have been working for years to bring the species back and DNA from aurochs was used to create a tauros.
Chief Executive of Trees for Life, Steve Micklewright said: “Introducing the aurochs-like tauros to the Highlands four centuries after their wild ancestors were driven to extinction will refill a vital but empty ecological niche – allowing us to study how these remarkable wild cattle can be a powerful ally for tackling the nature and climate emergencies.
“Our Tauros Project is about looking forwards while learning from the past as we restore nature-rich landscapes that support wildlife and people, and are resilient to future environmental challenges. We also want to give people the chance to experience in a safe way the awe and wonder of getting close to an animal that feels really wild.”
It is hoped that the muscular long-horned animals will help with ecotourism and may help combat climate change through carbon sequestration. Rutting bulls use horns and hooves to carve out bowls in the earth or create them by hitting their heads against one side of a pit to strengthen neck muscles.
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These scrapes in the ground create micro-habitats enabling plant species to establish but are also useful for small mammals, invertebrates and birds. Animal dung improves soil quality.
Tauros have been bred to imitate the aurochs and are bigger and more active than other cattle including highland cows. Their presence will have a substantial impact on vegetation and help nutrient cycling.
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Bulls reach 180cm at the shoulder and cows 150cm at the shoulder. They can live in a wide range of environmental conditions, with minimal human involvement although careful management will be in place to protect people and animals.
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The project has been led by the conservation charity, Trees for Life. Up to 15 tauros from the Netherlands will be introduced to the Dundreggan Estate in Scotland and the aim is to let them behave as naturally as possible to help with rewilding benefits.
More information about the Trees for Life charity here.
