Cattle bred to resemble the extinct aurochs—large, wild-roaming cows and bulls that vanished 400 years ago—may soon roam an estate near Loch Ness.

Once common across Europe, including Scotland, the original aurochs were driven to extinction in the 17th century due to hunting and habitat loss.

Tauros, a cross-breed designed to look and behave like these ancient animals, could be introduced in the UK for the first time at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Estate, covering 9,884 acres (4,000 hectares).

Tauros bulls can reach 1.8m (6ft) in height, and cows can grow to 1.5m (5ft), close in size to the original aurochs. For comparison, bulls of breeds farmed in Scotland, like Charolais and Limousin, generally reach around 1.5m (5ft) to 1.6m (5.2ft).

Tauros have already been reintroduced by Rewilding Portugal in the Côa Valley, a site with ancient aurochs cave paintings, and herds also exist in countries including the Czech Republic, Croatia, Spain, and Portugal.

Trees for Life hopes to bring a herd of 15 tauros from the Netherlands to their estate south of Inverness by 2026. Since tauros are a cross-breed of existing cattle, they can be legally imported and are not classified as a separate species reintroduction.

Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s chief executive, sees the project as a way to reconnect with historical landscapes and enhance biodiversity.

He said: “Introducing the aurochs-like tauros to the Highlands four centuries after their wild ancestors were driven to extinction will refill a vital but empty ecological niche – allowing us to study how these remarkable wild cattle can be a powerful ally for tackling the nature and climate emergencies.”

The cattle’s behaviours can benefit local ecosystems. Bulls use their hooves and long horns to create large, bowl-shaped pits in the ground. These “bull pits” support micro-habitats, encouraging insect, small mammal, bird, and plant diversity. Their dung also enriches the soil and sustains insect populations, including dung beetles.

Trees for Life has emphasised that the cattle will be carefully managed to ensure minimal human contact.

Mr Micklewright said: “So we all know we have these wonderful Highland coos, and they’re wonderful hairy creatures.

“This is something a bit wilder, something a bit bigger. And I think that will bring us a sense of excitement.”

Aurochs last existed in the wild in 1627, with the last one dying in Poland. Modern scientists have studied the possibility of “de-extincting” aurochs through genetic advancements, though tauros represent a more immediate alternative.

Scotland’s nature agency, NatureScot, supports well-managed cattle grazing as part of ecological restoration. For instance, Highland cattle have been used in Abernethy Forest to control vegetation, benefitting rare bird species like the capercaillie.

Belted Galloway cattle have also been used to enhance habitats for rare pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies at Mabie Forest in Dumfries.

NatureScot said: “We understand the tauros cattle are being released as wild-living farm animals, so we would expect the project to have considered and planned for good conservation outcomes, taking account of biological, social and cultural impacts.

“Although a licence is not required from NatureScot for releasing domestic livestock, the usual legal and welfare regulations for livestock applies.”

 

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