What is aurochs?

Aurochs were massive, wild cattle that roamed the forests, grasslands, and marshes of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They were one of the largest herbivores in Europe and weighed up to 1,500 pounds. Aurochs had long, curved horns and a dark brown coat with a pale stripe along their back.

These animals were considered to be the ancestors of modern domestic cattle breeds and were often depicted in prehistoric cave paintings. Aurochs were once abundant throughout their range but went extinct in the 17th century primarily due to hunting and habitat loss.

Efforts are being made to revive the aurochs through selective breeding programs and genetic manipulation with modern cattle breeds that carry some aurochs DNA. These efforts aim to recreate an animal with similar characteristics to the original aurochs, thereby preserving a part of Europe's natural heritage.