The History, Geography, and Characteristics of African Zebu, Zebu–Taurine Derivatives, and Well-Established Exotic Cattle Breeds

The origins and history of African cattle are covered in the introduction to chapter 3. This chapter covers the African Zebu, Zebu–taurine derivatives, and well-established exotic cattle breeds on the continent. The coverage of breeds is in terms of ecological settings, physical and production characteristics, and adaptive and special genetic characteristics. The African Zebu cattle are classified under the following categories: the Large East African Zebu (LEAZ) and the Small East African Zebu (SEAZ), the Southern African Zebu, and the Shorthorn and the Longhorn Zebu of West and Central Africa. The dominance of the Zebu-type cattle in Eastern Africa and the Horn and the relative absence of distinct Taurine cattle in the sub-region are explained by the two waves of cattle introduction into the continent and their subsequent spread from the point of entry. The other group, the Sanga—breeds and strains derived from interbreeding between African Zebu and Taurine cattle—are found in East and Southern Africa. The ‘Sanga’ of West Africa are relatively recent, with the process still actively underway and derived breeds still not fully stabilized. They are referred to in this chapter as ‘Pseudo-Sanga’. The chapter also covers another group of breeds known as the Zenga, which are Zebu–Sanga derivatives. These are mainly found in East Africa but also have representative breeds in Southern (Mozambique) and Central (the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)) Africa. Also covered in this chapter are the commercial composite breeds developed to combine local adaptation and productivity traits (milk and/or beef) through the incorporation of one or more specialized exotic breeds as sources of the productivity genes. The chapter also summarizes the major well-established exotic cattle breeds on the continent—dairy, beef, and dual-purpose—widely used in crossbreeding for milk and/or beef production. Several Zebu breeds and their derivatives are at risk of extinction, some have become extinct, and many are critically endangered. While no comprehensive analysis of the risk status of African cattle breeds has been done since 1999, it is clear that many more breeds are at escalated risk levels. An updated comprehensive survey is overdue, even as steps are being taken to save the most threatened breeds.