In Vivo Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources

These guidelines focus on conservation "in vivo," i.e. maintaining live populations rather than storing frozen genetic material. They complement separate guidelines on Cryoconservation of Animal Genetic Resources published in the same series. They have been endorsed by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In vivo conservation encompasses a range of actions that can be taken to ensure the survival of livestock breeds or populations that are threatened with extinction. These guidelines address both in situ conservation (supporting the continued use of threatened breeds in the livestock production systems where they have traditionally been raised) and ex situ conservation (maintenance of populations at sites such as conservation farms and zoos). As well as providing a wealth of information on breeding strategies for small at-risk populations, the guidelines provide advice on how to develop an effective and well-targeted national conservation strategy. They also discuss a number of specific strategies that can be employed to promote greater self-sustainability in at-risk breeds, including establishing community-based conservation programs, promoting niche marketing and livestock-related cultural activities, and capitalizing on the use of grazing animals in landscape management and nature conservation.