Breeds of Oostvaardersplassen
A nature reserve on reclaimed land where Heck cattle, Konik horses and red deer graze without human feeding, a much-debated experiment.
Breeds of this place
Best time: April to June for birds; September to October for the deer rut.
The Oostvaardersplassen is a nature reserve between Almere and Lelystad, on land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer in 1968. Its marshes and grasslands were meant to be grazed as in prehistoric times, by large herbivores living without fencing within the reserve and without feeding. Heck cattle were brought in from 1983, followed by Konik horses and red deer.
The grazing experiment
Heck cattle were chosen as stand-ins for the extinct aurochs, grazing and shaping the land as wild cattle once did. The herds grew large. In some hard winters many animals died of hunger, which led to public protest. In 2018 the province changed its policy, reducing animal numbers and giving more help in winter. People still debate how far nature should be left to run its own course.
Birds and marsh
The reserve is also important for birds, among them white-tailed eagles, spoonbills and great egrets. Visitors watch from hides and walking routes on the edges. The grazing animals keep the grassland open, which suits geese and other birds.
A trail idea for Oostvaardersplassen
- Visitor centre Information and walks at the reserve's edge.
- Bird hides Views over the marsh and grazing herds.
- Cycle paths Routes along the dykes around the reserve.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Oostvaardersplassen" 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.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Heck: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, source