Dama feral cattle

The Dama feral cattle are a feral breed of domestic cattle, believed to have been first introduced to Asidama in the second century BCE. Thousands still freely roam the island, and they are widely considered to be a key part of the modern ecosystem of Asidama. It is one of four recognized native Dama cattle breeds, and one of two small populars believed to have never been cross-bred with foreign cattle (the other being the Chikasi breed from the island of Chikasi, west of the main island).

History
Cattle are believed to have been brought to Asidama from Skephon in around the second century BCE. Until the modern era, they were used primarily for their milk and as draught animals in agriculture, forestry, mining, and transport, and as a source of fertilizer. Consumption of cattle for the meat was typically restricted to the wealthy by sumptuary laws, and cattle were seen by most as expensive and valuable - far too valuable for the average farmer to simply butcher and eat. Due to free roam grazing practices undertaken by farmers inland, it was not uncommon historically for cattle to occasionally escape and wander the wilderness. By the time of the 15th century, it is estimated that nearly 300,000 feral cattle could be found on the island. The success of the cattle can largely be explained by their out-competing of native herbivores, as well as their being considerably larger than any native predators. Facing virtually no competition, these feral cattle contributed significantly to the decline of many native plant and animal species in Asidama. In response to the growing abundance of feral cattle, a uniquely Dama tradition of ranching was developed beginning in the 17th century. In 1593, King Mabumunu the Stalwart sent a mission of emissaries to Ventora upon hearing of the prowess of its cattle ranchers. Impressed with these tales, he invited many to come to Asidama to teach the Dama people how to work cattle in exchange for riches. These cattle farmers were a notable exception to the nation's otherwise stalwart stance of isolation, relegating all foreigners to foreign quarters in Asidama's coastal cities. As a result, these Ventorans saw things not witnessed by any other outsiders of their time.

The Dama style of ranching traditionally includes capturing the feral cattle by driving them into pits dug in the forest floor. Once somewhat tamed by hunger and thirst, they are then hauled out up a steep ramp and tied by their horns to the horns of a tame, older steer or ox that knows where the paddock with food and water are located. The industry has historically revolved primarily around the capture of feral cattle to be sold as beasts of burden, but the abundance of the animals did lead to an increase of beef consumption among the lower classes in inland Asidama. Indeed, following the increasing amount of destruction wrought by the cattle on local crops, nobility in many inland regions lifted the laws against beef consumption, provided that the beef consumed came from feral cattle. Some vestiges of Ventoran influence remain in modern Dama cattle culture. The traditional Dama saddle, the shō, and many other tools of the cattleman's trade have a distinctly Ventoran/East Alutran look, and many inland ranching families claim ancestry from Ventoran ranchers who married local women and were granted parcels of land to work. Today, the Royal Department of Natural Resources' Division of Land and Forestry is involved in the management of the feral cattle, organizing lotteries for special access and permission to hunt or tame the creatures. The hunt is not an easy one, as the cattle have, over the generations, become smaller and more wild in attitude. The feral cattle are commonly involved with vehicle collisions in the inland, as they commonly congregate on paved roads to enjoy the sun-heated asphalt. Road signs warning against cows in darkness or fog are common. The Dama feral cattle are listed as a "maintained" breed by the nation's government.

Description
The coat of individual cattle tends to vary, but dark brown and black are the most common. Albinoids have been observed in some populations, and are popular prizes for ranchers as they are considered to be lucky. Both males and females have horns. Dama feral cattle are lighter-bodied and less stockily built than their domesticated cousins, the product of many generations of natural selection in the island nation's jungles. The tail is short, reaching only to the hocks. Average height at the withers is 110 cm for males and 100 cm for females, with the largest individuals being observed at around 130 cm. Males can be as heavy as 400 kg while females are typically closer to 300 kg.

Today
Although machines such as tractors and combines have by and large replaced cattles as work engines in Asidama, the tradition of the inland cattleman has endured. The focus of the ranchers has since shifted from draught animals to harvesting the cattle for their meat. Although it has been described as being of lower quality than foreign imported beef, many domestic recipes involving the feral cattle call for slow-roasting the meat in order to eliminate any toughness or bad flavors. The lotteries maintained by the state permit a certain number of the cattle be taken by ranchers each year, but a further amount are reserved for another purpose: hunting. Hunting licenses for the feral cattle have proven incredibly popular with Dama nobility, and the horns or skulls of cattle taken in hunts can be found on the walls of many palaces across the country.