El uroNacido para ser salvaje

Description

The Aurochs – Born to Be Wild

El uro – Nacido para ser salvaje is a fascinating illustrated work that explores the history, ecological impact, and cultural legacy of the aurochs (Bos primigenius), the wild ancestor of all modern cattle. Officially extinct since 1627 but still alive in our collective imagination, the aurochs was far more than a wild species: it shaped ecosystems, inspired ancient myths, featured in sacred rituals, and played a central role in the development of European civilisation.

From the cave paintings of Chauvet and Lascaux, through the rites of ancient Indo-European peoples, to Neolithic domestication, the aurochs has left an indelible mark on European art, religion, economy, and landscape. Its figure was revered and feared, hunted and eventually domesticated—becoming the common ancestor of every modern cattle breed.

Today, the image of the aurochs has re-emerged through rewilding movements, which see it not only as a symbol of ecological restoration but also as a powerful tool for revitalising degraded landscapes and triggering natural processes that benefit biodiversity. This book traces that historical and symbolic journey with a modern, scientific lens, examining both the past of this remarkable animal and its possible future.

Author Wouter Helmer, one of the pioneers of rewilding in Europe, offers a compelling yet rigorously documented narrative. He guides readers from ancient history to today’s ambitious efforts to recreate an “aurochs 2.0.” These initiatives don’t aim to clone an extinct species—as is often misunderstood—but to restore its ecological role through robust, primitive cattle breeds that still retain many of the aurochs’ original physical and behavioural traits. In areas such as Poland, the Netherlands, and the Iberian Peninsula, these animals are already reshaping landscapes, encouraging habitat regeneration, managing vegetation, and supporting the return of native species.

Spanning over 150 richly illustrated pages, El uro – Nacido para ser salvaje combines engaging visuals and accessible scientific writing to convey its message. The book features full-colour photography, historical artwork, distribution maps, and carefully selected references from archaeological and ecological studies. This visual and editorial richness makes the book both enjoyable for general readers and insightful for specialists in fields such as natural history, ecology, traditional grazing systems, or biodiversity conservation.

More than an informative resource, the book is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with nature. What happens when a large herbivore vanishes from an ecosystem? Can we truly repair the ecological imbalance it leaves behind? Is it possible to reintroduce such species—or at least their ecological equivalents—into modern European landscapes?

El uro – Nacido para ser salvaje is not simply a book about an extinct animal. It is a compelling visual essay about the past, present, and future of Europe’s ecosystems. It speaks to anyone interested in environmental history, rewilding, conservation biology, or the cultural role of large mammals in shaping human identity. With its interdisciplinary approach—blending science, history, art, and ecology—this book is both surprising and essential.

Perfect for curious readers, conservation advocates, environmental science students, traditional livestock keepers, and anyone who has ever been captivated by the image of a wild bull roaming freely through a forest clearing.

Text in Spanish.

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