Pajuna
Pajuna is a rare Spanish cattle breed that is very similar in some characteristics to the extinct aurochs , the ancestral form of most domestic cattle .
Appearance and description
Since pajunas have been crossed with other cattle breeds such as Murciana or Retinta again and again since 1950 , some of the breeds of the breed have lost their originality. But there are still lines that show a clear resemblance to the aurochs. This includes a long-legged, athletic build. Pajuna bulls weigh an average of 600 kg and can sometimes reach 165 cm at the withers . The horns, especially those of the bulls, are usually pointed forward and light in color with a dark tip. Some crossed pajunas are more likely to have outward-pointing horns. The strength and size of the horns vary depending on the breed line. The bulls are dark brown to black with a light eel line , the cows are much lighter and therefore reddish brown. Here pajuna also corresponds to the aurochs. North African ancestry or influence from cattle domesticated there is assumed for this breed. In fact, Pajuna bulls often have a light-colored saddle, which is reminiscent of that of the North African aurochs.
However, due to crossbreeding with other breeds, some Pajuna lines have already lost several primitive traits, such as wild color or long-leggedness. The original phenotype is therefore disappearing.
Occurrence and use
This original breed of cattle is under special protection in the Spanish official cattle catalog, as their numbers decreased rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s. While the quality of the meat of this breed is valued, the traditional use of these strong cattle has been in draft work.
Like other robust cattle, Pajuna is adapted to harsh conditions, especially cold mountain regions. These cattle are only fed under extreme weather conditions, when grazing is no longer possible. Due to its robustness and the aurochs-like body structure and the wild color, Pajuna is used by the Stichting Taurus for extensive grazing for nature conservation purposes. The cattle should take up the role of their wild ancestors again together with other primitive races. Pajuna is used in TaurOs Project , where the breed is used together with other aurochs-like cattle such as Sayaguesa , Tudanca , Maremmana primitivo or Limia cattle to breed a cattle similar to the aurochs through image breeding.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Breed profile Pajuna
- ↑ Walter Frisch: The aurochs. The European beef. From the largest land mammal displaced and exterminated by humans, its ancestors and descendants. Self-published, Starnberg 2010, ISBN 978-3-00-026764-2 .
