This article presents the current situation of animal genetic resources in Botswana, particularly following several years of drought. Likewise, a series of results is presented comparing the yields between the main local breeds and also between them and imported and crossed animals. Due to their greater capacity of adaptation to local conditions, the Tswana breed animals continue to be the most productive.

The genetic value of ancient breeds of livestock is recognized increasingly all over the world. This seems especially important in the case of domestic fowl where hybrids are increasingly dominating everywhere. This paper describes some old Hungarian breeds.

Within the species of domestic fowl in Hungary the following breeds should be taken into consideration for preservation: the three colour variants white, yellow and speckled - of improved fowl, already classified as individual breeds called White Hungarian, Yellow Ijungarian and Speckled Hungarian, respectively. The white and speckled breeds both have a naked neck variety too The Transylvanian Naked Neck, although similar to the above variants, is oi different origin.

The Istrian breed of cattle, of the Yugoslavian peninsula of that name, is an endangered species. The Istrian breed is related to other Podolic breeds and research into its genetic relationships with other breeds, as well as its conservation through the establishment of open nucleus units, frozen embryo stocks and a semen bank is being undertaken.

After a rapid review of the sociocultural aspects justifying that rare breeds be protected, of the aim of a conservation programme. and of the possible strategies, this paper describes in details the activities implemented at the National Centre for the preservation of germplasm of animals at risk of extinction, at Circello, in the south of Italy. In this centre, established on 310 ha, are presently raised 281 animals of more than 30 different breeds, among which 11 cattle breeds, 7 sheep breeds and 10 goat breeds. Activities of the centre include preservation, description, multiplication, improvement and use of the breeds at risk. Collaboration with other insttitutions within the Mediterranean region are listed.

Se describe una población de vacunos asilvestrados en el Parque Nacional “Los Glaciares” en Argentina, en cuanto a su origen, características y plan de conservación. Parte de esa población constituye un hato de raza criolla argentina en estado de pureza. Este biotipo se considera el más austral del mundo y está adaptado a condiciones climáticas muy adversas. Sería relevante su conservación por razones históricas, científicas y presumiblemente económicas.

The Pirot sheep is a small Zackel that has been developed in the region of Pirot and the neighbouring municipalities in Serbia. Pirot sheep population has been reduced to only 60 animals in the Republic of Serbia. An overview of qualitative phenotypical and morphometrical characteristics of Pirot sheep from the Stara Planina is presented in this paper. The sheep included in this study belong to the last flock of the breed. The evaluation aims to obtain the phenotypical description of this indigenous breed as a phase of preservation strategy. Therefore, a total of 51 ewes and two rams were measured to obtain the detailed data concerning conformation. The phenotypical characteristics of animals included were also described. Based on the results, the Pirot sheep is a small breed with compact, slightly rectangular body frame (body length 115.40 percent of height at withers). The investigated sheep population was homogeneous, and morphological variations were limited to the data obtained in our research. The differences detected among different age groups were significant and reflected late maturing and slow growth of individuals. The comparison of the data determined by the evaluation of the modern population of Pirot sheep with the description from the older literature did not reveal that many significant changes of the morphological characteristics have occurred during the last 30 years. The small effective population and increasing inbreeding can threaten the efforts to preserve this sheep. The cultural heritage of the local community is also in danger due to the fact that the cornerstones of rural tradition in the area have been production of the three nationally important agricultural brands in Serbia – Pirot kilim (Pirot rug), Pirot/Stara Planina lamb and Pirot/Stara Planina Kachkaval cheese, all of which are depending on the Pirot sheep breeding. Additionally, some problems affecting the preservation of animal genetic resources in Serbia are reviewed with the focus on the Stara Planina. The research indicated that ex situ conservation should also be considered in the case of the Pirot sheep.

The Alberes cattle breed is a Catalonian autochthonous bovine population located in the Alberes Massif (north east of Spain), in the eastern extreme of the Pyrenees Mountains, and is well adapted to this zone in which it mainly makes use of forest resources. Cows are small sized and rustic, living under a semi-feral management system with minimal human contact. Traditionally, two coat colour varieties, Black and Fawn, have been described. Nevertheless, in both coat colour types the wild-type allele (E+) of the extension locus predominates. The Alberes breed clusters within the Cantabrian trunk, although some other breeds may also have influenced the population during its history. All of the females are used for replacement and the surplus males are destined for fattening despite their low meat potential. Age at first calving ranges between 3 and 4 years. The 2007 census estimated the number of adult animals at 138 females and 9 males. The Alberes breed is considered as an Endangered Breed according to the FAO classification and intends to start an in situ minimum kinship conservation programme and also a cryoconservation scheme with embryos and semen.

Local Egyptian breeds of sheep, though considered small to medium size, have the desirable qualities of continuous breeding throughout the year and hardiness. Increasing the flock owners income may be through:

1. Higher productivityby accelerated lamb production of the valley and delta Ossimi and Rahmani breeds and improving the natural resource situation for the adapted desert Barki breed.

2. Establishing a simple grading system for the local coarse wool to improve marketing and encourage its use in small scale industries, hence rural development of the area.

The American Minor Breeds Conservancy and the National Council on Gene Resources are organizations in the United States whose activities are either wholly or in part directed to the conservation of rare and threatened breeds of farm animals. Past and current projects, goals, and the kinds of services provided by the AMBC and the NCGR are presented in brief form.

Uruguayan Creole cattle are descended from animals brought by the Spanish conquerors. The population grew extensively without directional management and became semi-wild before the introduction of commercial breeds in the 19th century. Today only 575 animals remain, restricted to the San Miguel National Park. We performed a population viability analysis of this reserve using VORTEX v. 8.31 to study its demographic and genetic parameters, assess the environmental factors that affect its development, evaluate its future risk of extinction and test different management options. The probability of extinction in the next 100 years was always zero, even in the more pessimistic scenarios. The growth rate of the population was always positive and mostly affected by the mortality rate of calves. Population size increased rapidly up to carrying capacity, this being the only limiting factor for population growth. Retained heterozygosity was always above 90% and the inbreeding coefficient below 0.10. The analysis shows that the population is not at risk due to its genetic diversity and demographic structure, however all the individuals are concentrated in only one place. We suggest its subdivision into sub-populations located in different regions and connected by gene flow, decreasing the risk of extinction and accomplishing the conservation and self-sustainability goals.

The organization of animal genetic conservation activities in Scandinavia is described, giving the motives, methods, problems, financial organization and future proposals, and showing how the five countries cooperate in international preservation plans.

Senegal owns an important and growing equine livestock. The horse takes a preponderant position in the Senegalese economy. Much appreciated as light draught animal for ploughing and transport and as race horse, MBayar pony, the most important indigenous breed, is docile, sober and tough.

The study was performed on 612 Mbayar horses between October 1994 and January 1996. Moreover 397 animals were examined during veterinarian consultations.

Under rural conditions, the age of first foaling is about 4 years. The fecundity rate is 41.7 %. The birth weight is 30.2 ± 2.2 kg and yearling weight 134.7 ± 33.0 kg. At mature age, the male weight is 245.6 ± 34.0 kg and the female 230.9 ± 29.7 kg. The perinatal mortality rate is 13 %.

Malnutrition, lack of care, overwork, and prophylactic measures and the low knowledge along with low income of the breeders explain the poor productivity of this indigenous breed.

The conditions affecting agriculture in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are being fundamentally changed by the transformation of the economy in that region. Rare breeds of domesticated animals and varieties of cultivated plants are in danger of rapidly disappearing. The article describes the situation in several countries; it also presents the plan of action of the Swiss foundation, PRO SPECIE RARA, to preserve the endangered genetic and cultural heritage in situ.

In June 1994 a group of Latin American geneticists met in Venezuela to discuss the current state of knowledge and priorities for research in the genetic improvement of dual purpose populations. The group also included specialists in the fields of economics, extensionand production systems, so that the views of the geneticists were constantly confronted with the practical realities of the field. This paper summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the group. The bibliography provides a list of key references which cover the majority of the scientific evidence upon which the conclusions are based. The two mainconclusions arrived at concerned education and information dissemination: i) an unacceptably wide gap exists between current knowledge on genetic (as well as other) aspects of dual purpose cattle and the teaching curricula of most institutions of higher education in the region. There is an urgent need to introduce up-to-date information on this topic into the education system at all levels. ü) A serious effort should be made regionally to increase the number and quality of scientific and extension publications in this area, and to encourage the exchange of information between research workers.