Natural grazing

Historically, the Netherlands was home to numerous large grazers. They formed the foundation for varied, natural landscapes and evolved together with all other species, that we still encounter today. Large grazers such as the aurochs, European bison and wild horse created the perfect conditions in which many species thrived.

More than half of our unique flora and fauna is tied to open and semi-open landscapes. However, without the presence of large grazers, many areas quickly become overgrown with trees and shrubs, causing species to disappear. Large grazers slow down this development and can even reverse it locally. For instance, grazers can keep a pioneering river dune open for many years, which would otherwise quickly become overgrown.

Natural grazing is about the co-evolution between plants and herbivores and their adaptations to each other. The roles of extinct species are now taken on by primitive breeds of cattle and horses. Where possible, long-lost wild species such as the European bison and red deer are reintroduced. Natural grazing also involves allowing animals to live as naturally as possible and rewilding them, with minimal human intervention.