Exotic Cattle Now Home at The Stables

The Stables at Russell Crossroads recently got some new faces behind their fences. These huge horned cattle are Ankole-Watusi, “The Cattle of Kings.” They possess the largest and most pronounced horns of any breed of cattle. Watusi in the United States have been known to have horn bases that measure up to 28 inches in circumference, eight inches in diameter and eight feet from tip to tip. You will be able to spot them from a mile away.

We are excited to see The Stables grow and expand their livestock numbers. There are currently four Watusi that are a part of the Russell Lands family—Mchawi, Akiki, Kitanga, and Kumi—out of the 1,200 that are living in the United States.

Stop by The Stables the next time you’re at Russell Crossroads for a chance to see the Watusi for yourself!

Fun Facts about the Watusi

• Ankole have strong herding and protection instincts. Adults bed down in a circle facing out with calves in the center.
• They were first domesticated in parts of Africa such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya for thousands of years. These native cattle are adapted to survive several months when food and water are scarce.
• In Africa, a few tribes consider Ankole to be sacred animals.
• Ankole were first introduced to the United States in the 1960s from a small seed stock in European zoos. Exportation of Ankole from Africa was banned in the 1930s. Today, less than 700 pure-bred Ankoles are registered in the U.S.
• Ankole-Watusi meat has very little fat and lower cholesterol than other commercial beef.
• Ankole cattle have tremendous jumping ability for their large size.