Bos primigenius is the Latin name for aurochs, the ancestor of today's domestic cattle breeds. Thousands of years ago, it occurred in Asia, Europe and northern Africa. Man, by hunting this powerful animal (it reached 2 m in height and 3 m in length) and cutting down ancient forests, contributed to the destruction of their population. The last aurochs in France was seen in the 10th century, two centuries later it became extinct in Germany. Aurochs lived the longest in Polish forests. The last herd was protected in Masovia, in the Jaktorowska Forest. Despite the efforts made, it was not possible to save the species from extinction. The aurochs, a symbol of strength and health, was slowly dying out. It is believed that the local family was defeated by a disease transferred from domesticated cousins grazing on the forest pastures. The last sedge died near Jaktorów in 1627.
About 400 m west of the railway station, right next to road No. 719, it is worth seeing a boulder lying on a concrete pedestal with the silhouette of an aurochs engraved and an inscription reminding about the extinct species. The information is valuable, especially for children who are just learning facts from history.
For several years, Polish geneticists have been conducting research on DNA molecules from aurochs bone remains. They hope to find out the reasons for the extinction of these animals, determine to what extent modern cattle resemble their ancestors, and in the distant future, try to recreate an individual as identical as possible to the aurochs. The Polish Tura Reconstruction Foundation, established in 2006, helps to achieve these goals.