A regular reader ((Thanks, Michael, and keep them coming!)) has just forwarded to me an email posted by Dr Abdul Raziq, camel scientist and President of SAVES, ((Alas, I can’t work out what this is.)) on DAD-Net, the discussion forum of the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System, which is hosted by FAO. I quote it in full below because I can’t find an online archive of DAD-Net messages, although occasionally some get cross-posted to another livestock mailing list, that of the Endogenous Livestock Development Network.
Certainly in this respect the livestock conservation community — which after all only recently came up with its Global Plan of Action, a decade after that for plant genetic resources — seems to be better developed than that for crops. I can’t think of an online discussion forum where an agronomist or extension worker or botanist could post information about endangered crop (and wild relative) diversity. ((Ok, for CWR there is our friend Danny’s CropWildRelatives group.)) Apart from right here, that is! But please tell me I’m wrong. And DAD-IS includes an early warning tool for genetic erosion. Incidentally, in researching this, I came across a little-known corner of the FAO website with some cool livestock-related maps.
Raigi camel, a very distinctive breed from northern Balochistan, Pakistan, which is characterized by considerable milk production potential (7-10 l/day) and consumes saltbushes and brackish water. The milk is believed to have high total solids and used mainly for Kurth making locally. The animal is small in body size and having big belly and rib cage. The animal has mean±SE body dimension as wither height (164.23±0.45 cm), rump length (139.27±0.26), sternal pad distance from the ground (89.70±0.71 cm), canon bone circumference (19.87±0.14 cm), breast width (42.98±0.15 cm) and estimated live weight (373.98±3.51 kg). The camel wool has long staple length with fine fiber, mostly used locally for rugs fabrication. Although the Raigi camel has long been recognized as a distinct population by local camel breeders, scientists were previously not aware of the existence of this breed.
Information about the distribution area, estimated population size, and physical characteristics of the Raigi camel is provided and the prevailing management and production system is described. It is concluded that the Raigi camel represents a valuable genetic resource and that steps are necessary to ensure its survival as a separate gene pool. The Raigi camel is one of the important livestock species raised in the historic Khurasan. The historic Pashtoon Khurasan, divided by Durand Line (drawn in 1892) is well known for its animal agriculture. The Khurasan was then divided in Kakar (Pakistan) and Ghilzai (Afghanistan) Khurasan. Khurasan is the home of famous Pashtoon nomadic and transhumant tribes. The Raigi camel is well adapted to the climatic extremes and is well appreciated for its’ significance in the pastoral economy. In Khurasan region camel is used on religious rituals like Eid ul Azha and Sadaqa. The meat of camel is traditionally dried (Landi) and use during the winter. In recent years the importance of camel increased many folds due to various factors like drought, high male calf prices, demand in the neighboring countries, and awareness about the camel products. The high slaughter rate, the political instability, war like condition and the human migration and influx in some area are the serious threat to the habitat of Raigi breed. Deforestation of the Tamarisk tree is almost completed and now the bushes are being de-rooted which are used for the burning purpose.
The local community and the markets of the cities like Ghazni, Zabul, Kandahar and other cities of Afghanistan are the main markets foe the meat of this breed. Some animals reach to the meat market of Zhob in Pakistan. The herders mainly use camel meat locally, like use for Lanthie in winter, slaughter animal on special occasions like Eid and sadaqa. The milk of the camel is saltiest in general but this phenomenon is specific for Raigi, which entirely graize on haloxylon and artimisia. The surplus milk is used especially used for Shlombey and Kurth. Their populations of the Raigi herders are estimated to number about 300-500 households, but the exact figures are hard to find because of the remote, inaccessible nature of the area and politically disturbed nature of the area. The breed is cross boundary in nature and need to be study from the both sides. There is utmost need of the time to characterize and document this precious breed and steps taken for its conservation with the help of the camel keepers in its environment (in situ).