“Aurochs extinction: DNA reveals multiple stressors drove ancient cattle ancestors to vanis” — what this page in the network covers. A new study led by Lund University reveals that aurochs—the wild ancestors of modern cattle—faced multiple simultaneous pressures that led to their extinction in northern Europe. An international research team analyzed ancient DNA and found that climate change, habitat loss, and human hunting all played a role, challenging earlier single-cause theories. The findings, published in a recent scientific journal, show that aurochs populations declined as forests expanded after the Ice Age, reducing their grassland habitats.
At the same time, human hunters increasingly targeted the large herbivores. The study highlights how a combination of environmental and human factors can drive a species to extinction, offering lessons for modern conservation. Understanding these past pressures helps scientists predict how current species might respond to today’s climate and land-use changes. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.