Cattle breed profile
Vache Tigre / Zainata
Origin : France — Corsica
How can this breed be identified?
The Vache Tigre is a small, very hardy cattle population from Corsica. It is mainly recognised by its brindle coat, made up of dark stripes on a brown background.
Calves are usually born light brown. The tiger-striped pattern appears gradually at around 4 to 5 months of age. The animals are usually horned and have a small to medium frame, well adapted to the difficult grazing areas of the Corsican maquis.
Overview, origin and history
The Vache Tigre, also called Zainata, is not officially recognised as a distinct cattle breed: the animals are registered as crossbred cattle. According to breeder Véronique Abbatucci, this population may descend from the Brune de l’Atlas, an old North African cattle population whose coat may be brown, lighter along the back, or brindle.
Almost extinct, this variety has been the subject of conservation and selection work in Corsica for several decades. The commercial name “Vache Tigre” was registered in 2006 to protect and promote this work.
These cattle are adapted to the Corsican maquis. Raised outdoors all year round, they make use of a wide range of vegetation: grasses, maquis plants, undergrowth plants, olive leaves, holm oak acorns and plants from wet areas.
Their small size, hardiness and ability to live on large grazing areas make them particularly well suited to extensive farming conditions on the island.
Identification hint
Look for a small hardy Corsican cattle population with a brown or brindle tiger-striped coat.
Sources and contributions
https://www.vachetigre.com/
Source title : Véronique Abbatucci
Identification hint · Game · Overview and history · Visual identification · Key facts
Profile validations
Véronique Abbatucci
Approved photographs · Approved description