European cattle as a rewilded species: insights from the feral cattle in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve

European cattle as a rewilded species: insights from the feral cattle in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 10 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on European cattle as a rewilded species: insights from the feral cattle in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve Authors : Serhii Zhyla , Denys Vyshnevskiy , Vitalii Kolomiichuk , Jens-Christian Svenning 0000-0002-3415-0862 , and Anastasiia Zymaroieva 0000-0001-9382-8269 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174954636.68923532/v1 1081 views 119 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Cattle is a native large herbivore to Europe, but the original wild form (aurochs) is extinct, and only a few feral populations occur on the continent. At the same time, there is rising interest in including wild or semi-wild cattle in rewilding projects across Europe. Natural or near-natural-living cattle are crucial in preserving open and semi-open vegetation by grazing, mitigating uniform vegetation densification and associated biodiversity losses, and elevated risk from fires. This study investigates the adaptation, behavior, and ecological role of feral cattle (Bos primigenius taurus) within the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. The research examines the herd’s transition to a wild existence, emphasizing their capacity to thrive independently of human intervention. During 2019- 2024, direct visual observations of feral cattle, camera traps, and activity traces were used to investigate herd structure, behavior, and anti-predator responses. Our research revealed the emergence of social systems that provide protection against predators such as wolves and bears. Nonetheless, the limited herd size, risks of inbreeding, and external threats – particularly from the war – present difficulties to population sustainability. The results indicate that including additional individuals, especially Ukrainian gray cattle, may improve genetic variety and long-term viability. The study contributes to broader discussions on rewilding and the role of large herbivores in post-human ecosystems. Supplementary Material File (zymaroieva_cattle.docx) Download 3.97 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 10 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords bos primigenius bos taurus chornobyl dedomestication ecosystem impact feral cattle Authors Affiliations Serhii Zhyla Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve View all articles by this author Denys Vyshnevskiy Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve View all articles by this author Vitalii Kolomiichuk Fomin Botanical Garden of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv View all articles by this author Jens-Christian Svenning 0000-0002-3415-0862 Aarhus Universitet View all articles by this author Anastasiia Zymaroieva 0000-0001-9382-8269 [email protected] Aarhus University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 1081 views 119 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Serhii Zhyla, Denys Vyshnevskiy, Vitalii Kolomiichuk, et al. European cattle as a rewilded species: insights from the feral cattle in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. Authorea . 10 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174954636.68923532/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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