Scientists uncover hidden history of abandoned cows : What began with just five abandoned cattle on a remote subantarctic island turned into one of the world's most remarkable feral animal stories. Left behind in 1871 after a failed settlement attempt, the animals somehow survived for more than a century on isolated Amsterdam Island, enduring fierce winds, cold conditions, limited freshwater, disease, and repeated culling, as per a report.
Now, a new genetic study has uncovered how they managed to beat the odds. Researchers analyzing preserved DNA from the long-gone herd found that the cattle carried a surprisingly diverse genetic background, which may have helped them thrive despite descending from only five founders, as per an Eco News report.
