Tauros program

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Tauros crossing bull "Manolo Uno" (Maremmana × Pajuna)

The Taurus program , formerly Taurus project , (Dutch Het Tauros Programma , English The Taurus programs ) is an international breeding program for a cow that morphologically the extinct wild form of aurochs (the ancestor of most domestic cattle is) as close as possible and ecologically the Role of the aurochs in nature.

Original cattle breeds that show phenotypic similarities to the aurochs and are robust enough to survive in the wild without human intervention are used for breeding . They are brought together by crossbreeding and strictly selected according to characteristics and ecological capacity. A long-term goal of the project is the release of the Tauros in selected European rewilding areas.

The project was initiated in 2008/09 by the Dutch foundation Stichting Taurus , other project partners are the Dutch nature conservation organization ARK Natuurontwikkeling , the pan-European nature conservation organization Rewilding Europe and the University of Wageningen .

So far, the project has been located in the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Romania. More are planned, including a. in Germany.

background

Presentation of the main southern European cattle breeds used by the Tauros program for crossbreeding (top row from left to right: Limia, Maremmana primitiva, Maronesa; bottom row: Podolica, Sayaguesa, Pajuna. Below is a comparison with the aurochs)

A current development in nature conservation and renaturation is to the effect that, based on the mega-herbivore hypothesis , the reintroduction of large European game is seen as essential for maintaining the original biodiversity of open or semi-open landscapes without human influence. However, the aurochs, once one of the continent's most important ungulates , was wiped out in 1627. Therefore, in so-called rewilding, domesticated descendants must be used, which are robust enough to fulfill this role. In many grazing projects , especially in Germany , Heck cattle , as well as Galloways and Scottish Highland cattle , are used. The Heck cattle originated in the 1920s in an attempt to breed an image of the aurochs from different cattle breeds. The Heck cattle have turned out to be robust, but in the eyes of some it is not enough as a restoration of the aurochs.

The Tauros program was formed with the aim of getting closer to the aurochs than previous " backbreeding " attempts. "Back-breeding" is based on the idea that the original characteristics of the aurochs must still be present in some, not very highly bred cattle breeds and that they can be reunited to the greatest possible extent through crossbreeding and selection breeding. Stichting Taurus has been running grazing projects with robust cattle and horses for years, and bought for the project from southern Europe that were found to be authentic. The Munich biologist and zoo director Heinz Heck (1894–1982) noted the “striking similarity” of the Iberian cattle breeds .

Methods and goal setting

Limia cattle (bull and cow) in the Netherlands.

The Tauros program uses robust cattle breeds, which should also be as authentic as possible in terms of the appearance of the aurochs. The aim of crossbreeding and selective breeding of these breeds is to gradually create new breeding lines that come as close as possible to the aurochs and are suitable for reintroduction in European game reserves. As part of the project, studies are being carried out, for example regarding a possible introgression of wild aurochs into the domestic cattle population in Europe. The choice of feed and the behavior of the cattle breeds used are also examined.

The aurochs-like breeds used for crossbreeding come mainly from Iberia and Italy . These include Sayaguesa , Pajuna , Tudanca , Podolica , Maronesa , Limia cattle and Maremmana primitiva . Such primitive races have become increasingly rare in the last few decades, and in some cases they are severely threatened. The Scottish highland cattle are also used, which are extremely robust and cold-tolerant due to their long fur and their pronounced ability to store fat. According to Wouter Helmer (Director of Rewilding Europe ), the desired aurochs-like cattle should be able to move freely in wild herds in the near future and, like red deer , wild boar and wolf, will once again become an integral part of European nature.

The collection and investigation of existing genetic material is slow. The nuclear DNA ( core DNA ) of the aurochs has not yet been finally deciphered. In contrast, the mitochondrial DNA of the aurochs is already available. Those responsible for the Tauros project claim that the breeds they have selected show certain genetic similarities with the aurochs, but there are no published studies to support this claim.

Breeds and previous crossbreeding results

Sayaguesa cows in Keent.

Some of the cattle breeds used by the Tauros program are relatively large and in some cases very similar to the aurochs in proportions and in color. Cows often have a light eel line or a much lighter color. The size of the horn varies from breed to breed, the curvature of some breeds is similar to that of the aurochs. For centuries, all races have been used to living freely all year round without a stable or shelter and to feed themselves; they are robust land races .

The following robust cattle, which are mostly very original in their phenotype, are currently used:

Up to and including 2015, 160 cattle of the original breeds were used in breeding and 292 crossbred cattle were born. 145 of the crossbred cattle belong to the first generation of crossbreeds, 130 to the second and 17 to the third. The total number of Tauros cattle is 350–400 (as of spring 2016, not counting newborn calves) and is made up of animals of the original breeds as well as crossbred animals.

  • Maronesa cow in Keent

  • Young Sayaguesa bull

  • Podolica cow in Keent

  • Pajuna cow in Keent

  • Maremmana × highland cattle (cow)

  • Sayaguesa crossbreed cow

Breeding groups

Netherlands

The main focus of tauros is currently in the Netherlands; The tauros started here in 2009. Breeding flocks are in a variety of locations. The two largest at the moment are:

  • Keent nature reserve , approx. 120 Tauros cattle (as of April 2016), all breeds.
  • Kempen-Broek border park , approx. 100 Tauros cattle (as of October 2015), all breeds with the exception of Podolica.

Other locations are:

  • Herperduin-Maashorst 21 Tauros cattle; 14 in Herperduin and seven in Maashorst (as of June 2016). In 2016 both areas were connected. By 2018 [obsolete] the grazing area is to be increased to 1520 ha (15 km²), and by 2050 Template: future / in 5 yearsto 3500 ha (35 km²). The publicly accessible area since the spring of 2016. grazed jointly by Taurosrindern, Exmoorponies and bison .
  • De Maurik, approx. 15 Tauros cattle (as of April 2016), e.g. Currently only Maremmana cattle as maintenance breeding and for supplying the other breeding herds.
  • Geuzenbos, Maremmana and Highland cattle.
  • Kraaijenbergse Plassen.

Rest of Europe

Portugal
Since June 2013. A breeding herd in the Rewilding Europe region "West Iberia":
Spain
Since June 2013. A breeding herd in the Rewilding Europe area "West Iberia":
Croatia
Since April 2014. A breeding herd in the Rewilding Europe area " Velebit ":
Czech Republic
Since October 2015. A breeding herd:
Tauros cows and calves in Milovice , Czech Republic.
Romania
Since October 2015. A breeding herd in the Rewilding Europe area " Danube Delta ":

The breeding groups in Portugal, Croatia and Romania are operated in cooperation with Rewilding Europe , those in the Czech Republic in cooperation with European Wildlife .

Further breeding groups are being planned in cooperation with Rewilding Europe in Germany or Poland on the Stettiner Haff (Rewilding Europe area "Oder delta") and in Italy in the Rewilding Europe area "Central Apennines " as well as in cooperation with the European Rewilding Network in Ukraine in the nature reserve Beremytske , in Belarus in the Nalibozkaja Pushcha and in Catalonia in the nature reserve Muntanya d'Alinyà - La Rectoria .

See also

Web links

Commons : Tauros program  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Stichting Taurus: "De runderen van Taurus." Retrieved on October 19, 2015 (Dutch)
  2. ↑ a b c Stichting Taurus: "The Tauros Program." Accessed on October 19, 2015 (English)
  3. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "Tauros Program." Accessed on October 19, 2015 (English)
  4. ↑ The Tauros Program: "Tauros Organization." Accessed September 5, 2016 (English)
  5. ↑ Cis van Vuure: Retracing the aurochs - History, Morphology and Ecology of an extinct wild ox. 2005, ISBN 954-642-235-5 .
  6. ↑ Stichting Taurus about TaurOs Project ( Memento of the original from December 3, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  7. ↑ Walter Frisch: The aurochs: The European cattle . 2010. ISBN 978-3-00-026764-2
  8. ^ The Aurochs is coming back to European forests and grasslands
  9. ↑ Oerrund keert teurg (Dutch)
  10. ↑ Uitgestorven oerrund komt terug naar Limburg (Dutch)
  11. ↑ Edwards et al .: "A complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a mesolithic wild aurochs (Bos primigenius)." PLoS ONE, 5 (2), 2010. doi: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0009255
  12. ↑ Ronald Goderie: "2012 - when the Tauros started growing wings." RewildingEurope.com blog, January 9, 2013. Accessed on March 14, 2013 (English)
  13. ^ A b Daniel Allen, Ilko Bosman, Simon Collier, Mei Elderadzi, Wouter Helmer, Frans Schepers: Rewilding Europe. Annual Review 2015. Nijmegen: Rewilding Europe, 2015. (English)
  14. ↑ See section 'Breeding groups'.
  15. ↑ Stichting Taurus: "Terreinen." ( Memento of the original from March 25, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  16. ^ The Tauros Program: "Locations. Where to meet the Tauros. " Retrieved on April 29, 2016 (English)
  17. ^ Stichting Taurus: "Oude Maasarm Keent. Exciting natuur met bijzondere grazers. ” ( Memento of the original from April 15, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  18. ↑ a b The Tauros Program: "Keent area, the Netherland." Accessed on April 29, 2016 (English)
  19. ^ Stichting Taurus: "Kempen ~ Broek. Grensoverschrijdende natuurbeleving. “ ( Memento of the original from April 15, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  20. ↑ ARK Natuurontwikkeling: "Tauros." Retrieved on October 19, 2015 (Dutch)
  21. ↑ Stichting Taurus: "Herperduin. Natuurlijk bosbeheer met wilde grazers. ” ( Memento of the original from April 15, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  22. ^ The Tauros Program: "Herperduin, Maashorst (NL)." Accessed on June 18, 2016 (English)
  23. ↑ a b c De Maashorst: http://www.allemaalmaashorst.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/vastgesteld-IBeP.pdf "Inrichting en Beheerplan (IBeP)." Accessed on October 19, 2015 (Dutch)
  24. ↑ "Taurossen born in Herperduin." D-tv.nl, March 30, 2016. Accessed June 18, 2016 (Dutch)
  25. ↑ ARK Natuurontwikkeling: ". Tweede leefgebied tauros op Maashorst" ARK nieuws, April 6, 2016. Retrieved on June 18, 2016 (Dutch)
  26. ↑ Stichting Taurus: "Tauroskudde op Herperduin compleet." ( Memento of the original from June 18, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Stichting Taurus Nieuws, May 5, 2016. Accessed June 18, 2016 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  27. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "New release of European bison in The Netherlands." RewildingEurope.com news article, March 8, 2016. Accessed June 18, 2016 (English)
  28. ↑ Stichting Taurus: “De Maurik. Oost-Brabant zoals het vroeger was. ” ( Memento of the original from November 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  29. ↑ a b The Tauros Program: "Save the Maremmana primitiva." ( Memento of the original from June 18, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Accessed April 29, 2016 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.taurosprogramme.com
  30. ↑ Stichting Taurus: "Geuzenbos. Onverwachter natuur in Rotterdamse haven. ” ( Memento of the original from November 24th, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  31. ↑ The Tauros Program: "Geuzenbos, Rotterdam Harbor, the Netherlands." ( Memento of the original from June 18, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Accessed June 18, 2016 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.taurosprogramme.com
  32. ^ Stichting Taurus: "Kraaijenbergse Plassen. Zandwinning, recreatie en natuur. ” ( Memento of the original from November 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 19, 2015 (Dutch) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.stichtingtaurus.nl
  33. ^ A b c Rewilding Europe: "Western Iberia. Achievements to date. " Retrieved September 5, 2016 (English)
  34. ↑ Associação Transumância e Natureza (ATN): "Mensagens com a etiqueta vacas maronesas." Retrieved on October 19, 2015 (Portuguese / English)
  35. ↑ Bárbara Pais: "Newborn calves and foals roaming freely in Western Iberia." RewildingEurope.com blog, March 4, 2015. Accessed October 19, 2015 (English)
  36. ↑ Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre (FNYH): "Suelta de cinco vacas sayaguesas en la Reserva Biológica Campanarios de Azaba." August 21, 2014. Accessed October 19, 2015 (Spanish)
  37. ↑ a b Rewilding Europe: “Velebit. Achievements to date. " Retrieved September 5, 2016 (English)
  38. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "Second generation of Tauros now grazing in Lika Plains." RewildingEurope.com news article, June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016 (English)
  39. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "Natural grazing in Croatian Lika Plains boosted." RewildingEurope.com news article, December 21, 2016. Accessed December 21, 2016.
  40. ↑ Karel Janicek: "Wild aurochs-like cattle reintroduced in Czech Republic." Daily Herald, October 13, 2015. Accessed October 15, 2015 (English)
  41. ^ Rewilding Europe: "New Tauros breeding site opened in the Danube Delta, Romania." RewildingEurope.com news article, October 22, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  42. ^ Rewilding Europe: "Danube Delta. Achievements to date. " Retrieved on July 1, 2016 (English)
  43. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "Tauros Program." Accessed on October 14, 2015 (English)
  44. ^ European Wildlife: "The Uruz is rising from the dead. Scientists are reviving the aurochs; the first herd is coming to the heart of Europe tomorrow. " European Wildlife News article, October 12, 2015. Accessed October 14, 2015.
  45. ↑ Rewilding Europe: “Or Delta. Making It Real. " Accessed October 19, 2015 (English)
  46. ^ Rewilding Europe: "Central Apennines. A Ten-year Vision. " Retrieved October 19, 2015 (English)
  47. ^ Rewilding Europe: "European Rewilding Network." Without date. (English)
  48. ↑ "Nature park Beremytske." Rewilding Europe, undated. Accessed June 18, 2016
  49. ↑ Rewilding Europe: "Five new European Rewilding Network members - now 48 from 23 countries." RewildingEurope.com news article, April 20, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  50. ^ The Tauros Program: "Towards a Wilder Europe." Accessed June 18, 2016 (English)
  51. ^ "La Muntanya d'Alinyà: a living mountain in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees." Rewilding Europe, undated. Accessed June 18, 2016