3 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

Richard Marsh is prepared for winter snows and his charges, a herd of 100 rare Chillingham wild cattle, are ready too.

They have been weathering winters in the 360 acre Chillingham Castle park in Northumberland since first being enclosed in about 1240.

"These wild cattle are unique and rarer than the Siberian tiger," Mr Marsh said.

"No human hand touches them and they receive no veterinary care either."

http://www.bbc.co.uk...d-tyne-20796250

[CRIPTIC CHAMELEON]

Nice little story are they native or were they an introduced species ?.

[Still Waters]

CRIPTIC CHAMELEON, on 28 December 2012 - 08:51 PM, said:

Nice little story are they native or were they an introduced species ?.

As far as I can tell they are native. More info about them here -

The Chillingham herd is believed to be related to prehistoric auroch oxen, which once grazed across northern Europe.
The white longhorns have remained isolated and untouched next to Chillingham Castle in Northumberland since they were first penned into their park in 1260.

http://news.bbc.co.u...yne/3470501.stm

The association also said the herd was the only one in the world to have remained pure with no outside blood ever being introduced.

http://news.bbc.co.u...yne/5318952.stm

[Hilander]

If it wasn't for the enclosed park they would probably no longer be around.  Maybe a distant relative but not pure like they are now.  Seems cruel not to give veterinarian care but in the wild they wouldn't get it.