http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/genetics/natcord.html This presentation by Jigme Dorji was held at a side event during the 9th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, from 6-8 July 2016 in Rome, Italy.

1. Experiences and Success of Conserving
the last one thousand Jakar sheep in
Bhutan
Jigme Dorji
Animal Genetic Resources Unit
National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
9th ITWG-AnGR side events, 8th July, 2016, Rome-Italy

2. Content
• Background
• Livestock farming
• Sheep farming
• Jakar sheep
• Population and status
• Factors contributing to decline
• Interventions
• Way forward

3. Background
• Country profile
• Population: > 700,000
• Area: >38,000 sq. Km
• Elevations: 200 - 4500 masl
• Rich biodiversity
• 700 bird species; 200 mammal species,
• 91 freshwater fishes, 124 reptiles,
• 61 amphibians species and over 800 butterflies
• Strict conservation policy
• 60 % forest cover (Constitution of Bhutan)
• Conservation of environment (GNH : Development
philosophy)

4. Livestock farming
• Subsistence farming system
• Livestock is integral part of subsistence farming
(draught and manure)
• 60 % of rural farmers livestock dependent and are
important source of food and nutrition
• Major livestock species and diversity
• Cattle: 5 LA breeds, chicken 10 types, pigs 5 breeds,
• Yak: 2 breeds, sheep: 3 types, goat

5. Sheep farming
• Concentrated Southern, central and
eastern regions
• Necessity for clothes, garments and rugs
to protect against cold weather in high
altitudes
• 3 major breeds/types
• Jakar sheep (central region)
• Sakten sheep (east region)
• Sipsoo sheep (south west region)
• Comeback breed (Australia) was introduced in
early 1980s (Poor survival under migration
system)

6. Jakar Sheep
• Small body sized (about 30 kg)
• Utility: Wool and manure
• Coat color: predominantly black
• Wool: fineness: 17-80 micron; Yield: 1kg/year
• Distribution: Central Bhutan
• Management: Migratory along with yaks in past but now
are sedentary

7. Jakar sheep population trend and status
Population trend
24515
12415 12459
1141011000
2619 2389 1411
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
2003 2007 2011 2015
Total sheep Jakar
Jakar sheep population composition (2015)
Site Phobjikha
Chumey
& Dhur Total
1. Lamb (male) 96 31 127
2. Breeding male 95 21 116
3. Lamb (female) 196 41 237
4. Breeding female 834 97 931
Total 1221 190 1411

8. Reasons for decline
• Lack of awareness
• Utility of sheep for family needs was no
longer relevant
• Farm labour shortages
• Depredation by wild animals (bear,
leopard, wild dogs)

9. Reasons for decline contd….
• Burden and lack/low income
• Traditional wool processing and product
making are labor intensive
• 1 kg of wool requires about 3 days for
cleaning, drying, carding and spinning
• Lack of interest in sheep farming by
younger generations

10. In-situ interventions
• Awareness/education in 2007
• Formation of Jakar sheep
conservation groups
• Exchange and supply of
breeding rams in sites with small
population

11. In-situ conservation contd…..
• Provided labour saving wool
processing devices to the
group
• Training on the use
• Involvement of younger
generations

12. In-situ interventions continued

13. Ex-situ conservation
• Initiated cryopreservation of Jakar
sheep semen in Animal Gene
Bank (2009)
• > 4000 doses of semen from
about 40 rams in Genbank

14. Ex-situ conservation contd…
• Established Nucleus Farm for Jakar
sheep in 2015
• 400 animals unit for research and
improving productivity

15. Way forward
• Utilization for income and sustainability
• Linking Jakar sheep conservation sites with the
tourism sector
• Promote high value traditional niche products
• Labelling and identification of products
• Sustainability
• Group saving schemes initiated
• Compensations for loss of animals to wildlife
• Cryo-conservation of semen will continue
• Nucleus farm will be involved in selection and
breeding for improved production

16. Thank You for Your Attention