Bringing back the aurochs: A new chapter in rewilding
Aurochs were the original wild cattle of Europe and Asia, venerated in stone age cave paintings, but hunted to extinction by our ancestors. Every modern breed of cattle is descended from the aurochs. But while most modern cattle have been bred for either their beef or their milk, there is one breed – the tauros – that has been bred to be genetically, physically and behaviourally as much like the original aurochs as possible.
We are almost ready to host a herd of tauros at Dundreggan. It’s exciting to think that we could see cattle living like the original wild cattle that roamed Scotland thousands of years ago and were last seen in the wild over 400 years ago.
For thousands of years, aurochs were a vital part of the landscape, shaping habitats and boosting biodiversity across Europe, including right here in Scotland. We want to find out how tauros could help us restore natural processes and bring a truly wild experience back to the Highlands.
Tauros are spectacular animals - muscular, long-horned and tall in stature. So imagine these powerful animals roaming through the landscape, their grazing habits naturally sculpting the land, promoting a diversity of plants and wildlife that thrive in their wake. It’s a process we’re eager to see in action and to learn how they influence the landscape in which they live, for the benefit of wider biodiversity.
Our hope is that bringing tauros here can play a role in creating resilient landscapes that support wildlife and people for generations to come. And let’s be honest, there’s something awe-inspiring about the thought of being in the presence of these animals – an experience that, for many, would be a powerful reminder of a wildness that Scotland once held.
Historically, aurochs were a keystone species, shaping the landscape around them and ensuring a dynamic mix of habitats that sustained all kinds of life. As one of Europe’s largest land mammals, they played a crucial role until they were lost to hunting and habitat loss. However, a handful of ancient cattle breeds are genetically close to aurochs and scientists in the Netherlands have been carefully ‘back-breeding’ from these to recreate animals as close to the original aurochs as possible.
Tauros have already been released across Europe, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Croatia, Romainia, Spain, and Portugal. With them has come an increase in biodiversity and a more vibrant soil ecology that has climate change benefits. Wherever they have been released tauros have flourished, withstanding a wide range of conditions with minimal intervention. We expect them to be equally at home in Scotland.
We intend to welcome a herd of up to 15 tauros at Dundreggan in 2026. Our approach includes meticulous planning to ensure that tauros can thrive in as wild a way as possible. The herd will be mixed age and mixed sex, meaning they will live like wild cattle, they will also be able roam within their designated area and interact with the environment naturally. Our team is already working on habitat assessments, herd management strategies and funding. We will follow the strictest legal and animal welfare guidelines, in line with that expected of all cattle, and we’re committed to making it an experience where people can safely observe these remarkable animals.
We’re particularly intrigued by how tauros can enhance biodiversity. Their grazing patterns create a patchwork of habitats, boosting plant and animal diversity, and potentially even help capture carbon. One of their more dramatic contributions is the creation of ‘bullpits’ – depressions in the soil made when bulls spar or exercise their muscles. These little bowls of disturbed earth are incredibly rich in biodiversity, hosting invertebrates, plants, small mammals and birds. Their dung, too, is a powerhouse for the soil, and their fur helps to disperse seeds.
Rewilding is a vision we share, a chance to heal our landscapes and create resilient ecosystems. This is one of those thrilling moments where we look at what’s possible with a bit of courage, careful planning, and your support. We can’t wait to see what this project brings – for the land, for the wildlife, and for everyone who joins us on this journey.
For those of you keen to learn more, we’ll keep you updated along the way. Visit treesforlife.org.uk/tauros for more information – and stay tuned as we get ready to welcome tauros to Scotland.
Let’s bring back a little bit of Scotland’s wild past, together.
Development funding for the Tauros project was kindly provided by Rewilding Britain, the Fred Foundation and the Forest Peace Foundation.
