Mammals
Ankole-Watusi
Bos taurus taurus watusi
The Ankole-Watusi is an ancient African breed famous for its enormous horns — among the largest in the world, spanning over two metres. Like all domestic cattle it descends from the aurochs (Bos primigenius), the great wild ox from which it arose: that wild form is extinct in the wild, and today the species survives only through human husbandry.
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In short
The ankole-Watusi (Bos taurus taurus watusi) is a species with IUCN conservation status EW (Extinct in the wild). It is kept on open pasture in the savannas and grasslands of East Africa. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the ankole-Watusi live?
It is kept on open pasture in the savannas and grasslands of East Africa. Its large horns, laced with a dense network of blood vessels, act as natural radiators that release heat and help the animal cope with hot, arid climates.
Is the ankole-Watusi endangered?
The IUCN Red List classes its wild progenitor, the aurochs, Extinct in the Wild (EW): the last individual died in 1627 and since then no cattle truly live in a wild state. The Ankole-Watusi's survival depends entirely on humans and is threatened above all by crossbreeding with more productive breeds.
Facts about the ankole-Watusi
- It has some of the largest horns of any cattle, spanning over 2 metres.
- The horns work as radiators that dissipate heat.
- It descends from the aurochs, the wild ox that went extinct in the wild in 1627.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Bos primigenius (Estinta in natura, EW) · progenitore selvatico dei bovini domestici
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.