Betizu

Breed: yes << back to the results
<< New Search
In winter isolated individuals (young males for example ) sometimes go down from the mountains to get closer to farmsteads, enclosures and farm animals. There are some complaints but the actual damages are limited. - accidents are rare but possible and potentially serious. They are mainly caused by mother cows´ sharp horns or an isolated male. The main risk in that respect arises from contact with mountain hikers who ignore the presence of betizu and do not know how to behave (a popular hiking trail goes through the area used by the cows). - absence of legal status for wild cows: in French law all cows are considered as domestic animals and, as such, submitted to sanitary regulations impossible to conduct on betisu. (Differences status with Spain). - so far, the population has only been contained through hunting. But, as wild cows are not legally considered as game, this is done outside hunting regulations. Conflicts between hunters and resistance at attempts to organize collective management In winter isolated individuals (young males for example ) sometimes go down from the mountains to get closer to farmsteads, enclosures and.. farm aimals. There are some complaints but the actual damages are limited. - accidents are rare but possible and potentially serious. They are mainly caused by mother cows´ sharp horns or isolated male. The main risk in that respect arises from contact with mountain hikers who ignore the presence of betizu and do not know how to behave (a popular hiking trail goes through the area paced by the cows). - absence of legal status for wild cows: in French law all cows are considered as domestic animals and, as such, submitted to sanitary regulations impossible to conduct on betisu. (Differences status with Spain). - so far, the population has only been contained through hunting. But, as wild cows are not legally considered as game, this is done outside hunt-ing regulations. Conflicts between hunters and resistance at attempts to organize collective management
Details:  
Country France, F
Location West of French Pyrenees : French Basque Country (north part of the Basque country is in France, south part in Spain) , Department : Pyrénées Atlantiques
Species Cattle
Synonyms Herri Ganadua, Herri Behiak, Behi Auzoa, Etxeko Behiak, Abel Gorriak, Kata Bizarrak, wrong: Betizauk, Betitzu, Betiso
Management feral
Population size estimate 100-120 animals in France F/M = 60%/40%
Morphology Colour: brown, brown-red , Height (cm) : maximum 130 cm, Weight (kg) : unknown
Need for Action A program of studies and actions is under progress. Researches in ethology, ecology, genetic and spatial distribution have been conducted. 1- The most urgent need is to obtain the official acknowledgement of the existence of wild cows and a legal status in order to protect the betisu . The risk or eradication of this rare breed is important (it has been done previously for convenience). European funding for research to define a status and adequate regulation is necessary (consultation between law specialists, stakeholders and representatives of NGOs). 2- Set up a plan for the management and regulation of the population as an alternative to hunting in order both to contain the number of animals within manageable limits and protect them. Means are needed to monitor, anticipate conflicts between a variety of stakeholders , prevent the straying of isolated animals, etc 3- Develop the campaign of local information and education (hikers, tourists, town councils etc) : waymark footbaths, put up signboards, create and edit posters, informative leaflets and educational papers. 4- Conduct research (cultural anthropology, economy, etc) on the place of betisu in local culture in order to develop the awareness of national authorities as to their exceptional heritage value + investigation as to possible means to enhance the value of the breed (tourism, landscape man-agement, quality meat, etc)
Contact Régis RIBEREAU-GAYON, 1, cours du Général de Gaulle 33175 Gradignan France Email: conservatoire.races.aquitaine@gmail.com r.ribereau-gayon@wanadoo.fr www.racesaquitaine.net
Remarks cross-border with Spain, This population is unique in France because it is totally wild. In the Spanish Basque Country , wild cows have been caught and are now semi-feral or extensive which is radically different from the situation in the French Basque Country. The population is divided into two main groups of totally wild cows. Animals live on a territory of several thousand hectares. They attend mixed woodland in low mountains, then moors and areas of open grasslands in higher altitude. Females give birth every two years (which corresponds to a cycle of wild cattle).
Source of information Régis RIBEREAU-GAYON, 1, cours du Général de Gaulle 33175 Gradignan France Email: conservatoire.races.aquitaine@gmail.com r.ribereau-gayon@wanadoo.fr www.racesaquitaine.net
Hyperlink http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_breeds_and_cultivars

 

Betizu Cow

FP_204feral_Betisu female Ribereau Gayon.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_breeds_and_cultivars