Abstract
The llama claims the largest population of the domestic South American camelids, most of which are raised in Bolivia. More than 53,000 rural families are dedicated to llama husbandry as part of their livelihood strategy. Contemporary Andean societies deliberately select animals for specific traits and employ substantial livestock management to secure subsistence. This study presents traditional llama husbandry and breeding management activities in the Ayopaya region, Bolivia. Traditional selection traits for male and female llamas are documented and assessed by a ranking and a ratio-scaled evaluation. Husbandry and management parameters are in concordance with other studies conducted in the region, but show a high variation. Average llama herd sizes are rather small (μ = 45.6). In some herds, breeding males are utilized for a long time and mix with other herds, causing concerns about inbreeding. Preferred trait groups for llama males according to farmers’ responses were body conformation, fibre, testicle conformation, fleece colour and height at withers. Traditional selection criteria generally relate to the phenotype, but also include the commercially interesting fibre trait. The presented results should be considered in breeding and management programmes for the respective llama population to ensure sustainable use of this genetically and culturally valuable resource.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge a research grant from DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), the support of the local NGO ASAR (Asociación de Servicios Artesanales y Rurales) and the farmers’ association ORPACA (Organización Regional de Productores Agropecuarios de Calientes), as well as all participating farmers from Cajas-Calientes, Huayllas, Lagunas, Milluni, Pulchentas and Putucuni. The comments of Dr. Angelika Stemmer on an earlier version of the paper are gratefully acknowledged.
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Markemann, A., Valle Zárate, A. Traditional llama husbandry and breeding management in the Ayopaya region, Bolivia. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 79–87 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9388-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9388-6