“He looks like a giant Muppet,” said Curator of Mammals Bob Lessnau.  “The Scottish Highland is an unusual-looking cow, and having one at the Zoo allows our visitors to get a sense of the many different types of cattle breeds.”  Scottish Highland cattle were first introduced to the U.S. in 1884 to improve the herds of Western cattle producers. 
 
The Scottish Highland is known for its shaggy appearance and cold-hardy constitution.  Native to the rugged Scottish Highlands, it is able to thrive in harsh conditions, thanks to a soft undercoat protected by a long, strong outer coat which can reach 14 inches in length. 

A mature Scottish Highland can weigh 900 to 2,200 pounds.  Both male and female cattle sport horns on their broad heads.  “Despite their size and ‘handlebar’ horns which can make them appear menacing, Scottish Highland cattle are gentle and even-tempered animals,” said Lessnau.

McGregor joined the Detroit Zoo from LEA-White Farms in Charlotte, Mich., and can be seen in the barnyard with the Zoo’s other shaggy bovine, domestic yak, Novus.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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