We describe the means developed by official and private institutions for the conservation of Canary Breeds. We evaluate the response to concrete actions comparing the evolution of their census with presented at the Warwick Conference (1989).Se describen la evolución de las Razas autóctonas canarias y las medidas que se han de tomar de cara al futuro, tanto por organismos oficiales como por entidades particulares, para evitar el peligro de desaparición de dichas razas

Camacho Vallejo, M.E.

Capote, J.F.

Darmanin, N.

Delgado-Bermejo, J.V.

Fresno Baquero, M.R.

Archivos de Zootecnia

Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Córdoba

Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 513.CANARY ISLANDS BREEDSTHE CANARY ISLANDS BREEDS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURERAZAS AUTOCTONAS DE LAS ISLAS CANARIAS: PASADO, PRESENTE Y FUTUROFresno, M. *, J.F. Capote *, M.E. Camacho **, N. Darmanin * and J.V. Delgado **.* Unidad de Producción Animal Pastos y Forrajes. C.I.T.A. Apartado 60. La Laguna. 38080 Santa Cruzde Tenerife. Spain.** Departamento de Genética. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Córdoba. 14005 Córdoba. SpainArch. Zootec. 41 (extra): 13-518. 1992.microclimates, to which animal andvegetable species, have adapted deve-loping diverse authochtonous breeds.Until the colonization towards theend of the XVth century, the archipie-lago was populated by people of dif-ferent origins who exploited differentanimals, goats, sheep, pigs and dogs.Other breeds, including those whichformed the basis of the Europeanagrarian economy, such as equine andbovine, were introduced later.The America's discovery convertedthe Islands into a stopping off pointfor all the transoceanic routes of thattime permitting contact with diversecultures and their autocthonous breeds.The primitive autocthonous andimported animals which received fo-reign genetic inputs, developed intothe ethnically different modern breeds.The majority of the canarian domesticanimals are of virtually unknownorigin, although three distinct modelsmay be admited (Delgado et al, 1991):MODELS OF PREHISTORIC EX-TRACTION. In this model we foundanimals which were developed fromPalabras clave adicionalesOveja. Cerdo. Cabra. VacaSUMMARYWe  describe the means developed by officialand private institutions for the conservation ofCanary Breeds. We evaluate the response toconcrete actions comparing the evolution oftheir census with presented at the WarwickConference (1989).RESUMENSe describen la evolución de las Razasautóctonas  canarias y las medidas que se han detomar de cara al futuro,  tanto por organismosoficiales  como por entidades particulares, paraevitar el peligro de desaparición de dichas razas.INTRODUCTIONThe Canary Archipielago (sevenislands and six islets) is situated in Northwest of Africa. There are noexcessive climatic variations in tempe-rature and trade winds bring sufficienthumidity on those islands which aresufficiently high.The pluviometry is variable, thusfavouring the establishment of diverseAdditional KeywordsSheep. Pig. Goat. Cattle.FRESNO et al.Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 514.those existing on the islands beforethe conquest, probably proceedingfrom the African continent in thecompany of the aborigine populationswhich were incorporated into theblood of multiple foreign breeds aftercolonization. Examples are the Majo-rero, Presa Canaria, and the GarafianoSheep dogs; the three types of CanarianCaprines, Ovines (Canarian and Pal-meran) and the Canarian Black Pig.MODELS WITHOUT PREHISTORICEXTRACTION. These are breedsderived from those introduced afterthe Conquest, which maintain a seriesof homologies as the Canarian Spanieland Canarian and Palmeran Cows.UNDIFFERENCIATED MODELS. Cer-tain animals introduced after theconquest, were integrated into theCanarian agriculture and have notsignificantly changed from its origi-nal type. Among them are hens, somelepidoptera, equines and camelidae.Their situation has evolved inparallel to the rest of autocthonousbreeds in other countries, and theireffective have been reduced duringthe present century, principally dueto the following causes:The movement of select breedswhose production was increased byintensive  farming methods. Alongsidethis phenomenum, mechanization hasdisplaced the traction animal.The decapitalization of the agrariansector which was maintained until thefifties, with an enormous amount ofemigration to the cities and abroad,making farming obsolete.The implantation during the secondhalf of the century towards, highlyprofitable vegetable cultivation forexports (bananas, tomatoes, flowersornamental plants, etc.) which absor-bed the greater part of the labour.Lastly, the expansion of the touristsector which has reconverted themajority of the agrarian population tohe service sector, entailing  competiti-vity for the farming use of earth.With regard to the actual situation,some populations are stable or in ex-pansion, such as the case of goatsbelonging to the Canarian CaprineGroup, the Canarian Breed of Sheep,the Spaniels, Presas, Majorero andGarafiano dogs, and more recently asto be in inminent danger of extinction,such as the Palmeran Sheep and Cowand the Black Canarian Pig.For the fact of the Canary Islesconstituted the last port of the OldWorld, it is significant that they wereused as the only means of fresh foodfor the long journeys for live animals.It can be supposed that some of theseanimals disembarked at their destina-tion and have influenced the constitu-tion of the autochtonous Americanbreeds, as can be seen by morphologicalobservation of examples. As yet, nei-ther the influence of the canarian oreuropean breeds in the developmentof the New World populations haveeen sufficiently studied, despite theinteresting nature of the question.A U T O C T H O N O U SCANARIAN BREEDS.PALMERAN BOVINE BREEDGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Thisbreed is located in the centre andnorth of the Isle of La Palma.ACTUAL SITUATION. It can be obser-ved in table I that the methods ap-Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 515.CANARY ISLANDS BREEDSplied haven't been sufficient and the-re continues to be a gradual decreasein the actual numbers of these animalscomparing it with those of forties andfifties. There is a movement from thenorth to the centre of the Isle.Until the present time, the conser-vation of this breed had been contri-buted by the Cabildo of La Palmawith the maintenance of a herd andthe Canary Departament of Agri-culture with a reproduction program.PERSPECTIVE OF THE FUTURE. To senddifferent sires to Reproduction Cen-tre of Badajoz (Junta de Extremadura).To increase the semen and em-bryonic banks.To establish a reproductive programfor this breed including the formationof artificial insemination techniciens.The posibility of a differenciatedcomplementary premium for mainte-nance of this breed is being discussed.CANARIAN BOVINE BREEDGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Theprincipal collection is found in theIsle of Gran Canaria, with anothernucleus, which is continually increa-sing, in Tenerife, plus isolated exam-ples in other islands.Table I. Evolution of the census of thepalmeran bovine. (Evolución del  censo debovinos  palmeros).1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 265 237 223machos 43 32 30hembras 147 140 135< 12 months75 65 58ACTUAL SITUATION. The censusreflected in table II is an overestimatefrom the actually registred animals.The Cabildo of Tenerife, the Cana-rian Association of Arrastre and theConsejería de Agricultura have contri-buted to maintain the breed.The succes of these methods isfundamentally due to the enthusiasmwhich has been awoke in the recupe-ration of these animals and the rescuingof the practise of the autocthonousand traditional sports.PERSPECTIVE FOR THE FUTURE. Increase in the bank of semen with theincorporation of new sires.Introduction of the embryonic bankin the reproduction Centre in BadajozReproducion programme with theformation of techniciens.Table II. Census of canarian bovines.(Censo de bovinos canarios).1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 4.050 5.700*machos    550hembras 3.500* Cabrera y Roig, 1992BLACK CANARIAN PORCINEBREEDGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Themost stable nucleus is in the island ofLa Palma, althoug there are small nu-clei in the rest of the islands, exceptingEl Hierro. In the last few years animportant nucleus has been created inTenerife which is outstanding.ACTUAL SITUATION. The significantincrease show in table III is basicallyFRESNO et al.Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 516.this is insufficient.PERSPECTIVE FOR THE FUTURE. Gua-rantee the sale of the younstock.Differenciated aid to manteinancethe population.Plan of conservation and reproduc-tion supported by the Departament ofAnimal Production (Consejería deAgricultura).Support of  the creation of  aprotective society.due to the support of the Cabildos ofTenerife, La Gomera and Lanzarotecoworking with the Cabildo of LaPalma. The creation of these  nucleiaugurs a better future for this breed.One of the principal dangers whichfaces this breed is that of the apperanceof cross-breeds.PERSPECTIVE FOR THE FUTURE.Support of the breed in the differentisles of the Archipielago.Program reproduction to reduceconsanguinity.Study of aids to maintain animals.Evolution of its products; meats,cured meats, etc., on a small scale asluxury articles.Table III. Distribution of the blackcanarian pig.  (Distribución del cerdo negrocanario)1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 36 37 82machos 4 6 12hembras 32 31 70Table IV. Distribution of the PalmeranOvine. (Distribución de la Oveja Palmera)1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 40 51 513 4 437 55 47OVINE CANARIAN BREEDGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Thispopulation is to be found in all theislands of the ArchipielagoACTUAL SITUATION. During the lastfew years an increase in the numbersof this breed have been observed(table V), the principal measureshave been taken by different adminis-trations, emphasize the support of theCabildo of Tenerife, its subsides andthe establishment of a milk controlnucleus. The aids of the Cabildo of ElHierro and the Consejería de Agri-cultura for buying these animal arealso laudable.PERSPECTIVE OF THE FUTURE. Theprincipal danger suffered by thisbreed is that of crossbreeding withOVINE PALMERAN BREEDGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Themeagre numbers are found on theisland of La Palma, generally in highand humid zones.ACTUAL SITUATION. Numbers of thisbreed are greatly reduced (table IV).They are to be found in three nuclei,two derived from assignments madby the Cabildo of La Palma, althoughone of these disappeared last years.The strategy followed to date hasmeant that the few examples thatthere are have not disappeard, utArchivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 517.CANARY ISLANDS BREEDSforeign breeds, among the most impor-tant measures foreseen the followingare included:Support for the creation of a Bree-ders Association wich would be res-ponsible for the Genealogical Book.Involution of the milk controlnuclei and sanitary defence groups.The giving of prestige to the shepp’sTabla V. Evolution of the census ofthe canarian ovine. (Evolución del censo deOvino Canario)1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 18.153 27.783 27.6721.566 901 88713.039 20.829 21.036< 12 months 3.548 6.053 5.749milk cheese by means of qualitydenominations, above all for cheesefrom El Hierro and Flor de Guia.CANARY CAPRINE GROUP (A.C.C.)GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. ThePalmeran and Tenerifian types arebred in their isle of origin, whilst theMajorero is distributed throughoutall the islands.ACTUAL SITUATION. Despite a slightdecrease, this sector is consolidated(table VI)and none of the three ethnictypes forming the group is in anydanger.This is one of the most relevantspecies within the farming subsector.It has a Breeders Association whichmanages the Genealogical Books, milkcontrol nuclei and sanitary defencegroups and also promotes and supportsits principal products. Additionally its involved in the development of na-tional investigational projects carriedout by the Departament of AnimalProduction of the Consejería de Agri-cultura y Pesca, in collaboration withdiverse institutions, specially the Ge-netics Departament of the VeterinaryFaculty of University of Córdoba.PERSPECTIVE FOR THE FUTURE. Thisstock has enormous possibilities notonly in the Canary Isles but also in theexportation of selec stud animals toarid and semi-arid zones. The prin-c ipal  means are centred on thefollowing points:Denomination of the origin of theCanary Goats Cheese Support fromthe different associations.Declaration of the Canary Isles asbeing free from the principal illnessesof this species, tuberculosis, brucelosis,paratuberculosis and C.A.E.Table VI. Evolution of the census ofthe canarian caprine group. (Evolucióndel censo de  la Agrupación Caprina Canaria).1.982 1.989 1.991TOTAL 145.326 153.374 152.8515.297 5.570 5.321122.358 126.434 125.721< 12 month 17.671 21.370 21.809MEASURES TO BE TAKEN FORALL THE CANARIAN AUTOCH-THONOUS BREEDSPromotion of the Associations forthe improvement of production andFRESNO et al.Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 41, núm. 154 (extra), p. 518.also the conservation of the breedswhich are in danger of extinction.Support of competitions and fairsin which these animals take part.Creation of a detailed census inwhich characteristics and managementsystems are inclued.Differentiation of a E.E.C. bonuswith a greater economic quantitycontemplated in POSEICAN (R (CEE)nº 1601/92) (with the exception ofpork farming).Complementary indemnity for theobligatory slaughter during SanitaryCampaigns.REFERENCESAlderson, L. 1989. The chance to survive. A.H.Jolly Ltd. Northamptonshire.Alderson, L. 1990. The relevance of geneticimprovement programmes within a policyfor genetic conservancy. In: geneticconservation of domestic livestock. CABIWallingford U.K. pp 206-220.Bodo, I. 1990. Special problems of conservationof domestic levestocks. In: Proceding of the4th World Cong. of Gen. Appl. to LivestockProduction. Edinburg. Alemania. pp 423-427Bodo, I. 1990. Methods and experiences with “insitu” preservation of farm animals. In: FAO,Animal Production and Health Paper. 80: 85-102Cañón, J. 1985. Las razas autóctonas comoreserva del futuro genético. Zootécnica 34:164-167Capote, J. M. Fresno, A.M. Díaz, E. Rodero,J.V. Delgado, E. Camacho and I. Serrano.1989. Rare autochthonous breeds fromCanary Island. Proceding of the 1st meetingof the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Warwick.(In press).Capote, J., J.V. Delgado, M. Fresno, E.Camacho and S. Mayans. 1991. Ultimasinvestigaciones acerca de la caracterización yconservacion de razas autóctonas del sur deEspaña II. Razas Canarias. ITEA 111 (2): 622-624.Consejeria de Agricultura y Pesca. 1991. Cen-sos AgrariosDelgado, J.V., J. Capote, M. Fresno and E.Camacho. 1.989. Exposición de animalesdomésticos autóctonos canarios. CAP. Go-bierno de Canarias. 16 pp TenerifeDelgado, J.V., S. Mayans, J. Capote, E.Camacho and M. Fresno. 1991. La conser-vación de las razas de animales domésticosautóctonos Canarios. Canarias Agraria yPesquera: 25-29.Reig, M., F. Cabrera. 1.992. El vacuno Canario.Publicaciones del Excmo Cabildo de GranCanaria. 72 pp.

Razas autóctonas de las islas canarias: pasado, presente y futuro

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