Betizu cattle are small mountain cattle which live in a semi-feral state in some mountainous parts of the Basque Country in both Basque Country and France. It is classified as an endangered breed by both the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, the agriculture ministry of Spain, and by the Conservatoire des Races d'Aquitaine in France.
The origins of Betizu cattle are unknown. The name betizu derives from the Basque: behi izua, "elusive cow", and distinguishes it from the extebehi or "house cow". It appears in Basque mythology as Zezengorri ("red bull"), guardian of the treasure of the goddess Mari.
In 2013 the breed population in Navarra was estimated at 254, while the number in Aquitaine was put at less than 150. The Government of Navarre has launched a project to conserve this autochthonous breed. They own a herd that inhabits the abandoned village of Sastoya, in the Urraúl Alto valley. The stated goal of the project is to protect and expand this breed. The Sastoya village encompasses more than 80 hectares (200 acres), of which 12 hectares (30 acres) are grasslands. It is inside the area of Ecological
Production and is property of the Government of Navarra. It is managed by their Environment Department. The facility includes several warehouses to manage the livestock. The Sastoya reservation houses about 45 animals. Reservation workers limit their contact with the animals in order to preserve their wild nature.
About Betizu Cattle
