Can the aurochs be brought back?

Can the aurochs be brought back?

For some years now, a group of ecologists and scientists have been working to bring the aurochs back. The effort stems from observations that smaller modern cattle breeds are poorly adapted for ‘rewilding’, or returning areas set aside for the purpose to their native state.

Which livestock is a descendant of the aurochs?

Aurochs (Bos primogenius); Zebu (Bos indicus) Cattle are descended from the now-extinct aurochs (Bos primigenius). Like many animals, cattle were likely domesticated more than once. The earliest domestication occurred some 10,500 years ago in present day Iran.

Are aurochs extinct?

The aurochs was the ancestor of all current domesticated cattle, including the humped zebu cattle of South Asia and East Africa. None are now living (except in strictly cladistic terms), but they have not been extinct for long; the last one, a female, was killed in what is now Poland in 1627.

When did aurochs go extinct?

1627
The aurochs only became extinct in Poland in 1627. Although named as different species, the two major types of cattle, the humped zebu (Bos indicus) and taurine cattle without humps (Bos taurus) are completely cross-fertile and as such may be better considered as subspecies.

Why should we bring back aurochs?

The project may seem whimsical, but there are serious ecological reasons for bringing aurochs back onto the scene. “Agricultural land is being abandoned on a large scale in Europe, and natural grazing is one of the key processes for preserving biodiversity,” says Goderie.

What did the aurochs look like?

The aurochs was black, stood 1.8 metres (6 feet) high at the shoulder, and had spreading, forward-curving horns. Some German breeders claim that since 1945 they have re-created this race by crossing Spanish fighting cattle with longhorns and cattle of other breeds.

What did an aurochs look like?

Are there still aurochs today?

Extinct, but still around The aurochs is the ancestor of all cattle and thereby the most important animal in the history of mankind. The keystone species for many European ecosystems was hunted to its extinction in 1627.