Breeds of Askania-Nova
A steppe reserve in southern Ukraine, founded in 1898, that has long kept the grey cattle of the Ukrainian steppe.
Breeds of this place
Best time: May to June, when the steppe flowers.
Askania-Nova is a reserve of virgin feather-grass steppe in southern Ukraine, north of Crimea. It was founded in 1898 by Friedrich von Falz-Fein, a landowner who set aside steppe and brought in animals from around the world. Since the Soviet era it has been a scientific reserve and research centre, and it has worked with the Ukrainian Grey, a long-horned cattle of the steppe.
Ukrainian Grey
Ukrainian Grey cattle are large, silver-grey steppe cattle with long lyre-shaped horns, of the Podolian type. They were the draught oxen of the Ukrainian steppe for centuries, pulling the carts of the chumaks, the salt traders. The breed survives in small numbers, and the herd at Askania-Nova has been important to its conservation.
The reserve
The reserve covers one of the largest areas of untouched steppe in Europe, and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It also holds a zoo and botanical garden. Since 2022, the area has been under Russian occupation, and access for visitors and Ukrainian researchers has been cut off.
A trail idea for Askania-Nova
- Virgin steppe Open feather-grass steppe, as the region was before ploughing.
- Zoological park Grazing animals from several continents.
- Botanical garden Trees planted in the steppe since the reserve's founding.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Askania-Nova" on Wikipedia. Fair dates, markets and visiting rules change; check locally before travelling, and keep a respectful distance from working animals. If something is wrong, tell us.
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