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A ROLE FOR FERAL MAMMALS IN CONSERVING THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF LIVESTOCK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

M.R. Rudge
M.R. Rudge
Affiliation:
Ecology Division, DSIR Private Bag, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
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Summary

The rationale for conserving breeds of livestock may be extended to free-living populations which are descended from domestic stock (= feral). An important management difference is that feral animals are not maintained as fixed breeds, but are free to vary and adapt. Many feral populations are pests, and threaten the status of native flora and fauna. This means that they continue to diminish as a result of control operations. Nevertheless, some populations and herds of goats, cattle, horses, sheep and pigs have now been protected. Positive values of commercial and scientific Interest are emerging as animals of feral extraction are studied. Further work is needed to assess the contribution that feral animals can make to the cause of conserving genetic diversity in the world's livestock.

Resume

Le principe de la conservation des races de bétail peut atre étendu aux populations vivant en liberté qul descendent d'anlmaux domestiques (animaux retournés A l'état sauvage). Ils se distinguent essentiellement par le fait qu'il ne s'agit pas de races fixes, mais capables de varier et de s'adapter. Nombre de ces populations sont nuisibles et constituent une menace pour la faune et la flore locales. C'est pourquoi leurs effectifs ne cessent de diminuer à la suite d'opérations de contrble. Néanmoins, plusieurs populations et troupeaux de caprins, bovins, équins, ovins et porccins sont maintenant protégés. A mesure que l'on étudie de plus près les animaux retournés à l'état sauvage, on s'aperqoit qu'ils présentent on grand intérèt sur le plan commercial et scientifique. Un complement d'étude est nécessaire pour évaluer la contribution que ces animaux pourraient apporter à la conservation de la diversité génétique du cheptel mondial.

Resume

Los fundamentos de la conservación de las razas de ganado pueden extenderse a las poblaciones descendientes del ganado doméstico que vive en libertad (asilvestradas). Una diferencia Importante de la ordenación es que los animales asilvestrados no se mantienen como razas fijas, sino que pueden variar o adaptarse libremente. Muchas de las poblaciones asilvestradas constituyen plagas, y son una amenaza para las condiciones de la flora y fauna nativas. Esto significa que contengan disminuyendo, como consecuencla de operaciones de lucha. No obstante, en la actualidad se protegen algunas poblaciones y rebanos de cabras, ganado vacuno, caballos, ovejas y cerdos. A medida que se estudian los animales asilvestrados, van surgiendo valores positives de interés comercial y cientifico. Son precisos nuevos estudios para evaluar la posible contribución de los animales asilvestrados a la conservación de la diversidad genética del ganado del mundo.

Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 5 , April 1986 , pp. 9 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1986

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