After lengthy planning and renovation work, the time has finally come. The first three aurochs have moved in with us. Luma, aged 6, and Luja and Luani, both aged 3, have moved into their new enclosure.
The aurochs, the wild form of domestic cattle, was originally found in large parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The last aurochs died out in 1627. The cattle now living in the Höllohe Wildlife and Leisure Park are descendants of the Heck brothers' replica breeding program. Starting in the 1920s, the Heck brothers set themselves the goal of breeding a replica of the extinct aurochs from various cattle breeds, including steppe cattle, highland cattle, and Spanish fighting cattle. Heck cattle are very robust animals that are well suited for year-round outdoor grazing and are often used in landscape conservation. Today, the Association for the Promotion of Aurochs Breeding (VFA) e.V. is primarily committed to preserving and continuing to breed this cattle breed.
With this background, the animals fit perfectly into the Höllohe Wildlife and Leisure Park, which is home to mainly native wild animal species and domestic animal breeds. The Höllohe Wildlife and Leisure Park joined the VFA e.V. in 2023. The enclosure covers an area of approximately 2 hectares and is designed to accommodate a total of around four adult animals. The enclosure is to be officially blessed next year. A bull is to be added to the three female animals in the course of 2026.
