A corner of the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness could soon see the return of a legendary species – well, almost. In an ambitious new project, rewilding charity Trees for Life plans to introduce a modern relative of the extinct aurochs, a massive wild ancestor of domestic cattle. The animal in question is the tauros.
These impressive cattle, with their muscular frames and sweeping horns, are part of a scientific effort to restore a missing piece of Scotland’s natural heritage. Aurochs once shaped ecosystems across Europe, including Scotland, before their extinction over 400 years ago. By reintroducing their lookalikes, Trees for Life hopes to boost biodiversity and create new opportunities for wildlife and eco-tourism.
“Bringing tauros to the Highlands after centuries of absence can fill a crucial ecological gap," says Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life. "These wild cattle could be powerful allies in tackling the climate and nature crises.”
The plan is to introduce a herd of up to 15 tauros, brought from the Netherlands, to the 4,000-hectare Dundreggan Estate near the south-west tip of Loch Ness (home of another legendary creature: the Loch Ness Monster).
The rewilding effort will not only help restore nature-rich landscapes, says Micklewright, but offer the public a rare chance to experience these magnificent animals up close, all within a controlled and educational framework.
Aurochs vs tauros
Aurochs were once one of the largest land mammals in Europe, thriving for millennia as a keystone species. Their presence helped create a rich patchwork of habitats, from forests and wetlands to open grasslands. But hunting and habitat loss led to their extinction in 1627. Their DNA, however, has survived in several ancient cattle breeds, which scientists in the Netherlands have crossbred to recreate the closest living equivalent: tauros.
These tauros are not your typical cattle. Bulls can stand up to 180cm tall, and like their ancient ancestors, they thrive in a variety of landscapes with minimal human intervention.
Ecological benefits of tauros
Research across Europe shows tauros herds can significantly enrich ecosystems. As larger and more active grazers than other cattle, their movements influence the landscape in ways that smaller grazers cannot. Their dung nourishes the soil and supports invertebrates that feed birds and other wildlife, while seeds hitchhike in their fur, helping plants disperse.
Their natural behaviours, such as selective grazing, help promote biodiversity by creating a mosaic of habitats that benefit countless other species, from plants to insects, birds and small mammals.
Tauros are known for creating ‘bullpits' – shallow depressions in the ground made by bulls sparring or marking their territory. These micro-habitats provide homes for invertebrates and small mammals, while also helping pioneer plants take root.
Beyond biodiversity, tauros may also play a role in carbon sequestration by promoting the growth of carbon-absorbing vegetation, which can aid in the fight against climate change.
A new chapter in Scottish Rewilding
While there are challenges to reintroducing such large animals, Trees for Life emphasises that with proper management and public education, people and tauros can coexist safely. Tauros are generally docile creatures, particularly when it comes to human interaction, and precautions such as signage and safety protocols will ensure that being near the animals is both thrilling and safe for visitors.
This five-year project, which will comply with all legal and welfare standards, marks another step forward in the movement to rewild Scotland’s landscapes. It follows years of careful planning, including habitat assessments and securing funding. Once released, the tauros will live as wild a life as possible, helping to reshape the Highland environment just as their ancient ancestors once did.
For more information, visit treesforlife.org.uk/tauros.
Main image: Tauros marching through the snow/Grazelands Rewilding
More wild stories from around the UK
