A photo provided by Jochen Ackermann, who recently came across a zebu herd on Sri Lanka, confirmed this. It shows a zebu cow with a perfect wild colour and - most notably - almost no "zebu hump".
Primitive Zebu cow on Sri Lanka, photographed by Jochen Ackermann |
Greetings Daniel, Superb blog!!!! After becoming aware of it after you sent a comment to my blog asking about the Heck cattle pictures I had posted(to respond, I purchased the referenced pictures at a flea market in Dallas, Texas in either 1979 or 1980. That is all I know about them, and you are most welcome to use them if you want.) I come here often to read and learn when ever the "dicey" internet in China where I am currently working permit. The may be a picture of what was commonly called a "sacred cow" when they were initially imported and exhibited in zoo's around the world.
ReplyDeletecircusnospin.blogspot.com/2012/03/zebus-aka-sacred-cattle_28.html
They are now known as miniature zebu and there are a number of breed associations devoted to breeding them to each associations standards.
http://www.imza.name/.
Again, a really fine, informative, and educational blog. Have you done anything on the Mithun cattle? Quite a unique loud colored "Gaur."
Regards, Wade Burck
Hi Wade,
Deletethanks for the kind words and information!
Could you maybe send me the link to your post with the old Heck cattle pictures again? I couldn't find it anymore unfortunately.
Thanks for the links about the zebus; I have seen a number of miniature zebus with an aurochs-like colour. In fact I have been thinking of doing a drawing of what I think is possible to "rebreed" of the Indian aurochs' optics with modern zebus for some time, but never got to it.
Regarding domestic gaurs or gayals, I considered doing a blogpost on them too. But I would have to do some research on it and I don't know if that topic is all that extensive.
Regards, Daniel
It is an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteBut, is there any proof about the primitive belief of the cow in Sri Lanka????
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI did a pen and ink of the Zebu photograph above. Would you know how I might be able to get ahold of Jochen Ackermann to ask his permission if I can use that sketch in a book? I altered the sketch some. I look forward to your response. Thanks!