An ancient echo of Scotland’s past may soon return to the Highlands as a new rewilding project looks to introduce the tauros – a species bred to resemble the extinct aurochs – to the Dundreggan estate near Loch Ness.
The project, led by the conservation charity Trees for Life, aims to restore these wild cattle to the land where their ancestors once thrived, bringing an important ecological player back to the Scottish landscape.
Aurochs, the mighty forebears of modern cattle, roamed across Europe for thousands of years, shaping the ecosystems they inhabited.
Their sheer size and powerful grazing patterns created diverse habitats for countless species. But aurochs disappeared from Britain around 1300 BC, then later became globally extinct through habitat loss and hunting. The last aurochs died in Poland in 1627, and with that Europe lost one of its key natural engineers.
But the DNA of the aurochs has survived in a number of ancient original cattle breeds, and, since the early 2000s, scientists in the Netherlands have sought to bring them back to life by interbreeding cattle breeds that are genetically and physically closest to the aurochs. In doing so, they developed the tauros.
While classified as domestic cattle, tauros have no equivalent among other breeds. Bulls are huge, reaching up to 180cm at the shoulder (cows measure 150cm), similar in size to aurochs.
Plans are underway to introduce up to 15 tauros from the Netherlands to the 4,000-hectare Dundreggan estate, a sprawling landscape of ancient woodlands and heath near the south-west shores of Loch Ness.
Known for its rich biodiversity and rewilding efforts, Dundreggan could soon become home to this impressive species, adding a new layer to its ecological fabric.
Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life, believes this project will not only benefit the local environment but also offer a unique draw for eco-tourism. “These wild cattle could be powerful allies in tackling the climate and nature crises,” he says.
The introduction of tauros holds great promise for the landscape. These animals, like their ancestors, are large and active grazers, capable of shaping the environment in ways that smaller domestic cattle cannot. Their grazing patterns will help maintain open grasslands, encourage the growth of native plants, and create microhabitats for insects, birds and other wildlife. Their presence could also aid in carbon sequestration, as their grazing promotes the growth of carbon-absorbing vegetation.
While the prospect of large, wild cattle roaming the Highlands may seem daunting, the project will be carefully managed to ensure safety for both the animals and the public.
With proper planning, signage, and education, visitors to Dundreggan could soon witness a living link to Scotland’s ancient past, all while experiencing the rich biodiversity that tauros are expected to foster.
This ambitious initiative represents another step toward restoring Scotland’s wild landscapes to their former glory.
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