Transcript Diapositiva 1

VSF Annual meeting and Symposium on “Healthy Animals - Healthy People“, 11th to 13th March 2004 in the Jugendherberge Solothurn, Switzerland
Camel phenotypes in Sahrawi refugee camps,
Tinduf (Algeria)
Europe Aid –
Co-operation Office (AIDCO) - EU
as part of the program:
“Characterization of Camel Genetic Resources in Africa and Asia”
Veterinary Department
Sahrawi Arab
Democratic Republic
Broglia A.*, F.Mohamed Said**, H.J. Schwartz***
*SIVtro – VSF Italy Onlus; NgO Africa70
** Veterinary Department, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
***Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften, FG Nutztierökologie, Humboldt University, Berlin
Introduction - Program “Characterization of Camel Genetic Resources in Africa and Asia”
Considerable genetic diversity exists in the old-world camels in Africa and Asia, much of which controls advantageous traits influencing
adaptability to harsh environments, productivity and/or susceptibility to disease and parasitism. However, little hard data, if any at all, on
these genetic resources are available. Conventional breeding programmes cannot be set up due to a failure to identify animals carrying the
most advantageous traits. Sequencing of genes controlling such traits and detection of mutations which caused the differences, could
provide considerable gains in productivity.
At present, there is a need to build capacity within national agricultural research system (NARS) of most developing countries in Africa and
Asia to conduct research in livestock genetics and breeding using modern molecular methods. Such methods are likely to become
increasingly important in the future for developing appropriate breeding strategies to optimally utilize indigenous genetic resources.
The “Characterization of Camel Genetic Resources in Africa and Asia” programme fits well within the current research priorities in livestock
production and health of many African and Asian countries. It also complements international programmes in the area of Animal Genetic
Resources (AnGR) and will generate information that will be directly relevant to the on-going efforts to compile a global AnGR database.
Camel phenotypes in the Sahrawi refugee camp: the study at the beginning.
IBIL (camel, ar.)“SAHEL”
Local name: IBIL “SAHEL”, camel from the West.
Origin: Western Sahara and Mauritania.
Fenotipic characters: tall, elegant and “nice”, not very much hair, usually dark
hair colours (red-brown), meaty aspect (“this type has sweet meat”, Sahrawi
Bedouins), the favourite camel type for the Sahrawi.
Productive characters: very good milk and meat production.
IBIL SHAARG
Local name: IBIL (camel, ar.) “SHAARG”, “camel from the East”
Origin: region of Azauat, between Algeria and Mali
Fenotipic characteristic: taller than “Sahel”, few hair less than Sahel, light
colours, thinnish aspect.
Productive character: bad milk production in Western Sahara and the refugee
camps because of salty pasture, better milk production in eastern Algeria and
Mali where pasture have lower salt content; meat is usually tough.
IBIL TIL
Local name: IBIL (camel, ar.) “TIL”: “camel from the North”
Origin: region of Rio de Ddara, Morocco. Typical of mountain regions.
Fenotipic characteristic: small and piece, lot and dark hair, very strong.
Productive characters: very good for work and packing, low milk
production, quite tender and sweet meat.
The present project is financed by European Union
Contact address:
Alessandro Broglia, [email protected]