KUTTA SHEEP- AN ENDANGERED BREED IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN

The study aiming at investigating the population size and spread of a local breed of sheep locally called Kutta or Arerhai or Watani; in its native tract (Swat). Kutta is a medium size, black coated, thin tailed sheep native to Swat. The study was carried out during May-August 2007. The target shepherds for the survey were only those who had at least a single specimen belonging to Kutta in his flock, found under the sedentary and migratory systems. A total of 59 such farmers were found and interviewed, who had collectively 553 Kutta heads, including 41 breeding ram and 304 breeding ewes. No pure farm for Kutta sheep was found except the two operating under sedentary farming system. Rambouillet and their crossbred were the invading breeds and if continued may result in serious outcome. The estimated population of Kutta is less than 1000 and can be safely classified as endangered. Immediate conservation efforts are suggested to arrest further loss and conserve the natural resource heritage.