Taurus cattle are an advanced form of Heck cattle, an attempt of breeding back the aurochs, the wild ancestor of domestic cattle. They are the result of crossbreeding traditional Heck cattle with aurochs-like cattle mostly from Southern Europe to achieve a greater resemblance to the aurochs and larger body size. Taurus cattle herds are located in Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia and the Netherlands and are used in conservation of natural landscapes and biodiversity. Taurus cattle is a breed that is still being crossbred and bred selectively.
History
In 1996 the conservation groupArbeitgemeinschaft Biologischer Umweltschutz in Germany started to crossbreed Heck cattle with primitive cattle from Southern Europe such as Chianina, Sayaguesa Cattle and the Spanish fighting bull in the Lippeaue reserve near the town of Soest. The purpose was and is an increased resemblance to the extinct aurochs, because they considered Heck cattle not satisfying. For example, they write in one of their publications: "The 'recreations' by the Heck brothers are too small, too short-legged, not elegant and their horns are not satisfying". Therefore, the goal is to breed cattle that are considerably larger, more long-legged and long-snouted and have horns curving forwards additionally to the wild type colour scheme that was already present in the population. By 2003 the breeding process had advanced enough to consider the animals a breed in their own right; as breed name, Taurus cattle was chosen. Also in 2003, a breeding herd each was started in Hungary and Denmark, in 2004 one was begun in Latvia, and in 2016 one was begun in the Netherlands.
Germany
In Germany, Taurus cattle herds are crossed with Chianina and Sayaguesa, two very tall breeds, and initially also the Spanish fighting bull. The crossbred animals in the Lippeaue reserve, the most important breeding location, are composed of 47% Sayaguesa, 29% Heck cattle, 20% Chianina and 4% Lidia on average. By 2013, some individuals were of the fifth cross generation already. Taurus cattle are listed in the herdbook X of the German Heck cattle association VFA. There is an increasing interest of Heck cattle breeders in using Taurus cattle because of their larger resemblance to the aurochs, so that there is a continuum between Taurus cattle and un-crossed Heck cattle.
Hungary
in Hungary has the largest herd of Taurus cattle so far, counting 500–600 individuals of which around 200 are mature cows. Additionally to crossbred cattle that were imported from Germany, Ankole-Watusi, Hungarian Grey cattle crosses and one half-Holstein Friesian cow are used. There are two sub-herds, a main herd at Pentezug and another one at Karácsonyfok. Studies in the national park showed that cattle are less adapted to dry, cold grassland than Przewalski horses, and until a few years ago the cattle were supplementary fed. The winter of 2011, however, was the first winter in which additional food was not necessary.
Denmark
Taurus breeding was initiated in Lille Vildmose Nature Reserve under the name Projekt Urokse. The founding herd consisted of one Chianina × Heck bull, four Heck cows and one Sayaguesa × Heck cow, and in 2009 three Sayaguesa bulls were added. As of 2010, the herd had grown to a size of 56 individuals.
Latvia
In Latvia, Taurus cattle are being bred by WWF Latvia. In February 2004, besides two German animals 21 head of Dutch Heck cattle were brought to Pape Nature Reserve, in October another 18 head of Dutch Heck cattle followed.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands a project was set up at the end of 2016 called "Oerrund Hard". Oerrund Hard is a wordplay on the song "Oerend hard" by a Dutch band called Normaal, and "oerrund", the Dutch word for "aurochs". The project uses Taurus cattle from Germany, chiefly consisting of crossbreds between Heck cattle and Chianina cattle, selected Heck cattle, and Watusi cattle. The Watusi have been donated by DierenPark Amersfoort Zoo. There are now three small herds, and a fourth is in the making.
External features
Most Taurus cattle are long-legged and comparatively slender. An increase in size was achieved, large Taurus bulls measure 160–165 cm at the withers while normal Heck bulls measure only 140 cm. Most bulls are black with a light dorsal stripe, some bulls have a light colour saddle. Cows are on average, but not always, a lighter colour than the bulls, most of them are coloured reddish brown or dark brown. Some cows are as of yet still greyish or beige, an undesirable legacy of Heck and Chianina influence. The horns of most Taurus cattle face forwards and also more inwards compared to un-crossed Heck cattle, but the exact curvature of the horns is variable to a certain degree. The skull is longer and more straight-profiled than that of Heck cattle, and therefore resembles the aurochs. Usually, Taurus cattle have a more athletic body than Heck cattle do, and their shoulder muscles are more developed.
