Abstract
Grazing by different types of large herbivores in natural areas has been used as a nature management tool for directing vegetation succession and maintaining biodiversity. In the densely populated Netherlands, this implies that livestock grazing often co-exists with public recreation. The trend to allow for “natural” grazing has triggered an
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interest in more primitive and sturdy breeds that can be self-sufficient and so provide year-round grazing. For this purpose the European bison or Wisent (Bison bonasus) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2007. A recent development is the Tauros-project, that aims for re-creating the ancient Aurochs by means of an extensive breeding program. As human recreation in natural areas increases, so does the potential for interactions with semi-wild herbivores. With the use of more primitive, less domesticated herbivores in the landscape questions about public safety arise. The aim of the current study was to compare different cattle breeds (Galloway, Scottish Highland cattle and the new Tauros) and European bison for their reaction to three types of recreational visitors (walker, walker with a dog, jogger) in semi-wild conditions. To gain insight into the behavioural differences of bovine species, they have been tested by simulated interactions, using a standardized walker, jogger and walker with a dog on leash. All simulated interactions were documented on film and analysed afterwards. The most common initial reaction of the investigated bovine species to a recreational visitor was to look up. The second most common initial reaction was to regroup with other herd members. Situations in which the recreational visitor was approached by cattle only occurred in 5% of the interactions and consisted of mostly calves and yearlings. They are in a highly explorative developmental stage thus increasing the chance of approach behaviour. In general, no differences in response between different types of recreational visitors were found. Only a jogger did cause more individual animals to start moving, either walking or running, compared to the other types of interactions. Bovine species did not react differently to the presence of a dog as compared to a walker without one. Of the available factors in the data, breed, habitat cover and experiment time of day, had the strongest association with differences in behaviour. Tauros and Wisent had the fastest response time, longest response distance and most strong herd reactions. Generally, behavioural (herd) response was significantly stronger in covered habitat and later in the day. Tauros behaviour was intermediate between that of Wisent and the domesticated cattle breeds. Both Tauros and the Wisent displayed a greater alert distance and showed more strong and severe herd reactions compared to the Galloway and Scottish highland cattle. The Tauros herds showed between-herd differences in behavioural reactions. More research is needed to increase knowledge on behavioural reactions of different bovine species to recreational visitors and so aid natural resource managers in informed decision making.
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