Milovice Nature Reserve

[3] This reserve is a pioneering project of cooperation between several scientific bodies (Czech Academy of Sciences, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice, Charles University Prague, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Masaryk University Brno among others) and draws support from many organizations and private sponsors (EU's Operational Programme Environment - Obnova stanovišť a zavedení pastvy velkých spásačů, Central Bohemian Region, EKOSPOL, Net4Gas, Pivovar Zubr, Nadační fond rodiny Orlických, JK Jewels, State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic, Milovice and Benátky nad Jizerou townships, American International School of Vienna, Milovice kindergarten, Townshend International School in Hluboká nad Vltavou and more).

[4] A no longer used military proving ground near Milovice has been left fallow, after departure of heavy machinery the former open landscape started to be overtaken by bushgrass and other expansive species and its biodiversity kept diminishing.

[9] In January 2018, nine young Exmoor stallions left Milovice on loan to two more protected areas, four are at Na Plachtě (cz) in Hradec Králové and five at Josefov Meadows bird reserve.

In February 2018, two Tauros heifers left the Milovice herd on loan to Živá voda exposition in Modrá (Uherské Hradiště District).

By reintroducing large herbivores such as European bison, Tauros cattle, and Exmoor ponies, the reserve has successfully restored its unique ecosystem, leading to increased biodiversity.

"[12][13] Large herbivorous mammals (bison, aurochs, Eurasian wild horse, elk) used to be an indispensable part of European wildlife.

Since the original aurochs (Bos primigenius) went extinct in 1627, Česká krajina picked breeding back cattle from the Dutch Tauros Programme.

The first wild horse foal born in the Czech Republic came on October 22, 2015, therefore her mother, Sgurr Na Ban A’Mhoire, must have come to Milovice already pregnant.

[21] Higher night-time bat activity was spotted above the large herbivore enclosures, showing the beneficial influence of conservation grazing on insect population.

European bison ( Bison bonasus )
Tauros cattle in Milovice
Exmoor pony in Milovice