Phenotypic Characterization and Traditional Camel (Camelus dromedaries) Selection and Breeding Practices in Pastoral Communities of Jarar and Korahey Zones, Ethiopian-Somali Regional State

This study was carried out in Jarar and Korahey zones of Ethiopian Somali Region with the objectives to phenotypically characterize indigenous camel population in the area, identify the camel traditional breeding strategies, objectives and their challenges. Field study and data collection were done through questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations and linear body measurements taken from sample camels in the study areas. A total of 360 household head camel owners and 420 mature camels (360 females and 60 Males) randomly selected from six purposively selected study districts from the two zones were used. Results showed that average camel number per household was higher in Sheykosh (94±11.5), followed by Kebridehar (77±6.8) and Gashamo (60±5.1) woreda. The average proportion of female camel above one year of age in a herd ranges from 56.9 to 62% while the total average proportions of female camel per household including female calves ranges from 75 to 80.9% in the study areas. Larger proportion of female camels shows that milk production is the priority trait of interest for the pastoral communities and indicates their breeding objective of ensuring continuous supply of milk to the family. The overall mean milk production performance in the study areas in terms of lactation length and milk offtake during wet and dry seasons was 12.79±.23 months, 6.36±.085kgs/day/camel and 3±0.04 kgs/day/camel, respectively. Similarly, the reproductive performance in terms of Reproductive Life Time (RLT) of male and female camels, age at first mating (AFM) of male and female camels, age at first calving (AFC) and Calving Interval (CI) of female camels were 17.92±.42 and 20.03±.26 years, 5.95±.03 and 4.22±.021 years, 5.26±.023 years and 23.13±.43 months, respectively. Pastoral camel owners in the study areas practice selection only for male camels based on the male camels or ancestors’ ability to give birth to more female offspring (38.3%), color and appearance of male camel (27.2%), size and body condition (21.1%), libido (8.9%) and growth (4.4%) traits. Five distinct camel breed types namely Hoor, Gellab, Aidin, Ayun and Ayro inhabiting in the study zones were identified. Pairwise comparisons of all five-camel breed types for 17 morphometric traits showed a significant (P