Taurus Foundation
Creating a substitute for the extinct aurochs
The Tauros Foundation is dedicated to creating a substitute for the extinct aurochs that is best able to thrive in contemporary natural grazing schemes and wild landscapes.
As the ancestor of all domesticated cattle, it is hard to think of a more important animal in the history of mankind than the auroch. Once widespread across Europe, it was a keystone species within many of the continent’s ecosystems. But by 1627 this impressive animal had been hunted to extinction across its entire range. The auroch may be long gone, yet all is not lost.
Today strands of its DNA remain alive, distributed among a number of ancient cattle breeds that still exist across Europe. The aim of the Tauros Programme is to create a modern-day equivalent of a long-dead animal. The principal technique is “back-breeding”: by combining cattle breeds with desired characteristics, a bovine can be created with physical attributes, behaviour and genetics that closely match those of Europe’s original wild auroch.
Via DNA research of most of the primitive breeds in Europe we have selected eight breeds for the programme, including Sayaguesas and Maronesas in Portugal, while in Croatia we use grey cattle from Boskarin and Slavonian Grey origin.
Already more than 100+ news items on the Tauros have been published/broadcasted in local, regional and international media.
The Tauros Foundation is dedicated to creating a substitute for the extinct aurochs that is best able to thrive in contemporary natural grazing schemes and wild landscapes.
As the ancestor of all domesticated cattle, it is hard to think of a more important animal in the history of mankind than the auroch. Once widespread across Europe, it was a keystone species within many of the continent’s ecosystems. But by 1627 this impressive animal had been hunted to extinction across its entire range. The auroch may be long gone, yet all is not lost.
Today strands of its DNA remain alive, distributed among a number of ancient cattle breeds that still exist across Europe. The aim of the Tauros Programme is to create a modern-day equivalent of a long-dead animal. The principal technique is “back-breeding”: by combining cattle breeds with desired characteristics, a bovine can be created with physical attributes, behaviour and genetics that closely match those of Europe’s original wild auroch.
Via DNA research of most of the primitive breeds in Europe we have selected eight breeds for the programme, including Sayaguesas and Maronesas in Portugal, while in Croatia we use grey cattle from Boskarin and Slavonian Grey origin.
Already more than 100+ news items on the Tauros have been published/broadcasted in local, regional and international media.