Europe

Poitou donkeys

The Poitou donkey, principally saved from extinction due to its special appearance, originates from the region of Poitou in western France. In former times, a good Poitou stallion was almost worth its weight in gold because it could be used to breed undemanding and powerful draught animals by crossing it with Mulassier (mule-horse) mares. These played a particularly important role in the settlement of the United States.

Woolly pigs (mangalitsa), steppe cattle and racka sheep

Hungarian steppe cattle, racka sheep and woolly pigs are typical companions of humans in the Hungarian Puszta (plains). They form joint herds that move across the grass steppe with their nomadic pastoralists. They therefore have a major influence on the creation of this unique cultural landscape.

Miniature goats

Miniature goats are small and well-natured. Like the South American alpaca, they are therefore very popular among children as petting animals.

Black Forest bees and fallow deer

While beekeeping is a worldwide phenomenon, there are major differences depending on the country or region. Our apiary focuses on how beekeeping is carried out here in the Black Forest. Fallow deer are found living wild throughout Europe. Farmers are increasingly keeping these animals in enclosures, for example on the steep slopes of the Black Forest, in order to provide an additional source of income by selling the meat.

Valais blackneck goats

The Valais blackneck goat is also ideally suited to its native mountain regions in the Swiss canton of Valais . In the past, it was very popular amongst Alpine farmers thanks to its good milk yield. It is now one of the canton’s tourist attractions due to its striking colouration.