T. Yosef, Y. K. Mohammed1, U. Mengistu, A.Solomon, K. Kefelegn1 D.Tadelle
The objectives of the present study were to describe the distribution and characteristic features of Afar and Somali camel populations and to review the history of camel keeping in relation with the findings of camel fossils and paintings in different rock shelters in Ethiopia. Eight camel populations have been identified, of which Amibara and Mille were present in Afar while Jijiga, Shinille, Liben, Gelleb, Hoor, and Aiden were found in Somali regions. The study showed that Ethiopian camel population have exhibited on average 4.95�0.09 years, 26.41�0.6 months and 1.73�0.08 of Age at first calving (AFC), Calving Interval(CI) and Number of Service per Conception (NSC) respectively. The lowest AFC and NSC were observed in Liben camel population where as Gode camel populations exhibited the highest AFC and CI. Camels from Jijiga and Gode produced the highest average milk yield in both dry and wet seasons. The prevailing wider range of characteristic features and variation in milk and meat production of Ethiopian camels indicated that their productivity can be improved by implementing appropriate breeding program through selection. All the relationship of camel rearing for different purpose (milk meat and draft) and their distinct features in different pastoral communities may indicate that camel keeping in Ethiopia has been many centuries old traditions. Moreover the camel paintings and fossils in different rock shelters had an estimated date earlier than the first millennium. Hence, It is plausible to think that camel keeping took place in the Horn before 3000 years.
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