Aurochs
This is a domestic animal found in wildlife parks and nature reserves. You can see the aurochs on the blue trail, which is dedicated to European animals.
A reconstructed breed
The aurochs is the prehistoric ancestor of domestic cattle. Humans have recreated the breed through backcrossing.
Ancient cattle breeds were crossbred until an animal was produced that resembles the aurochs of old, though it does not reach the same size.
IUCN status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN)
Description
Bos Primigenius
Cattle
500 to 1,000 kg
H : 1,80m
Forests and marshes
Least Concern
20 to 25 years old
History of the Aurochs
Present in the Vosges until the 12th century, it was driven out by Charlemagne. The aurochs is said to have given its name to the Vosges mountain range, a term that means “mountain of wild oxen” in Gaulish.
Food
It feeds on herbs, grasses, acorns in the fall, and leaves in the winter.
