Study of the Cimarrona goat (Capra hircus) in the Island of Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico
1982
Agraz, A.A.
The Island of Guadalupe constitutes and ideal habitat for the Angora goat. The 20 000 ha of Hordeum murinum (Sabadilla) have an animal load capacity of 10 000 head. The erosion of the Island is mainly of the eolic origin. The goat over-population which increased over a period of 150 years due to the absence of biological and human control, could appear again. During one century, after 7 capture attempts, ending in 1971, 92 percent of the population was sacrificed using tactical measures without firearms and the Cimarrona goat was considered to be brought under control. However, the biological balance was altered which propitiated the demographic explosion of the common mouse (Mus musculos). In 1980, the second expedition for the Integral Development Program and the transfer of goats to the Continent for genetic research, was carried out. The zoometric and biometric studies facilitated the determination of the breeds which gave origin to the caprine population: Orenburgo, Kirguisia (Russian) and Pelo Rudo (English). The goat is greatly profitable in the Island, but due to the origin, state, zootechnical function and weather conditions of the Island, it is not recommended for use on the Continent. This study on the Cimarrona goat defines the ecological and physiological aspects which serve to understand their habitat, adaptation, behaviour and reproduction to enable the best improvement of the domestic goat without harming biological laws, nor injuring the natural resources
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