Chillingham Cattle, Wild cattle breed in Chillingham Park, England
Chillingham Cattle are a breed that roams freely in an enclosed park in Northumberland and stands out for its pure white coat with red ears. The enclosure covers around 365 acres of open land where the animals graze and move naturally without confinement.
The herd has occupied the park continuously since 1645, with historical records showing their presence even before the park was established. This long isolation allowed the animals to remain genetically unchanged and trace their ancestry back to medieval times.
The herd represents a living link to ancient times and embodies a way of raising cattle that has nearly disappeared elsewhere. Visitors can watch how the animals live and behave according to their own rhythm, without human interference in daily life.
The park can be visited on guided tours in Land Rovers running from March through November, offering a safe way to observe the cattle up close. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and conditions change with the weather.
The herd comprises around 138 animals that have remained isolated from other cattle breeds with virtually no outside genetic influence. This isolation makes them scientifically valuable for researchers studying how cattle evolve when cut off from external mixing over many generations.
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