On the shelf of scientific textbooks in the Zurich Library, 22 typed pages, written in 1941 in German, hide the secrets perhaps the most ancient typeGreek Aiga: The Uloceris Aiga.
By 2010, when members of the European Save Foudation research team requested a copy of the study that had written in the 1930s by AUTH Professor Dimitriadis, almost no one was aware of the existence of this study.
Some time before The researcher of the “Amalthea” network, Vassilis Lekkas, had discovered a page- And he alerted the European partners of the Save Foundation to hurry to Zurich, to receive the study so that the organization (and the country) will obtain the first (pre -war) integrated study of the authentic characteristics of an indigenous species.
“The Dimitriadis study enabled us to be able to choose the flock residues that we were seeing what were the genuine ulcery goats and who had undergone genetic lesions. It is a thorough zootechnical study valuable both for farming and the knowledge of the appropriate conditions for the management of these goats, ”says Lekkas.
Why so … a fuss about a goat?
Why this goat like any other indigenous type has unique features “Response”- indirectly- by Professor of the Agricultural University of Athens, Dr. Joseph Bizelis, identifying the value of the indigenous tribes of Greece in the book published (2021) by Amalthea entitled “Greek Breeds of Animals- a Hidden Treasure”.
In Greece, indigenous tribes notes Dr. Joseph Bizelis are characterized by:
*Resistance to an adverse environment,
*Ability to exploit poor, barren land and pasture of many areas,
*Resistance to diseases and mischiefs,
*Survival capacity with a limited amount of food and water,
*Ease of management and capacity to produce products, mainly milk and meat with unique quality characteristics. “
Meat and milk are even considered the two most important qualitative characteristics of the ulcerative goat against the imported dairy goats. High nutritional value in combination with the durability of the ulcerative goat and other indigenous animals become over-valued advantages in the face of the impending effects of climate change expected to affect Greek agriculture and livestock in the future.
Ulocero Aiga is already at the top of an informal rescue and preservation list of indigenous tribes (sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, goats, poultry dogs, etc.). Regarded The most representative case of domestic goat that is in danger of being lost on a threatening path In which other breeds of mammalian animals have already entered and followed by her. In the 2-3 regions of Central Greece that is bred and despite the brave efforts made by its breeders to maintain it, it decreases numerically and as a result it is on the list of the most endangered European livestock animals.
The shape of its horns makes it a “special type of domestic goat” but its history leads it deep into the country’s past. The shape of the cherries, its peculiarities, its connection to Greek mythology, inspired the founders of “Amaltheia” and its image today composes the logo of the organization, while in the book of indigenous tribes, Uloceros holds a special place on its pages.
The non -governmental, Non -profit organization “Amalthea” network founded in 2006 With the aim of rescuing, protecting and promoting all indigenous agricultural animals, it has borrowed its name from the Amalthea of Greek mythology, Zeus’ food. In Greek mythology, Zeus grew up in the Idea man with the milk of Aiga Amaltheia that the Nymphs gave him through her horn the famous “Horn of Amaltheia”. In Classical Antiquity, the Horn of Amaltheia evolved into a symbol of abundance that scattered natural products (fruits, flowers, cereals and nuts) and other material goods (coins, gemstones, jewelry, symbols of administrative power).
Amalthea, Ulokeros, Ancient Greece, Southern Italy and Spain
In the mystery behind the myth, the Uloceros Aiga is “identified” with Greek mythology and ancient Greece as it also attracts its name from ancient Greek since “gum” means twisted, turned, a predominant, term introduced by I. Dimitrias.
Speaking Mr. Lekkas reveals and Another reason that Ulokeros is associated with ancient Greece: “There is a race in southern Italy that has common characteristics and the Italians believe that it comes from the tribes that had reached the colonies of Greater Greece. In Spain, a population, south of Barcelona, has been identified in a former Greek colony (trade) and suspects that it is related to Ulokero. ” The shape of its horns, however, is highly varied: to the shape of an embrace or helically turning upwards or in the shape of a wreath rotating anterior of the head.
The highest rates of ulcers had previously been recorded in the areas of Boeotia and Fthiotida (Lokrida province). According to Professor I. Dimitriadis, these goats existed in the Monastery of Samata near Thebes where they spread to the wider area in the early 20th century.
Today the number of ulcers goats has been dramatically reduced with the total number being estimated at about 200 people. Most of them grazing in the wider area of Boeotia and Fthiotida, which is famous for its biodiversity and purity of the environment. According to data provided by Mr Lekkas, the largest herd has 100 females and 30 males and there are two smaller flocks of 30 and 20 animals respectively. It should be noted that scholars consider the population of 2000 people as sufficient to maintain a future presence of a breed of sheep and goats.
Almost all the efforts made for the reproduction of the ulcers In other parts of the country e.g. Aitoloakarnania, Peloponnese, etc., despite their support from the organization they did not work out.
“It is an animal loaded with a lot of mystery, adventures and obstacles. It draws a lot of attention, many want it, but they don’t know how to nourish it. Universities do not show the interest that should, nor the state, and only some individuals maintain it today, “says Mr. Lekkas. The breeding efforts so far have shown that a farmer works individually, at his own expense and as far as possible to the original herd. It will more easily rear breeding and breeding than to give it the animals and have under a control that he does not want, ”he adds.
Similar example It is a breed of cattle found in Kastellorizo. It was a group of Italians who first observed it. As Amalthea has found, this is a rare Greek race and that is why years ago, a process of transporting a stakeholder in Salamis was launched years ago. However, a group of young farmers from Rhodes went to the island and bought the animals. He created a breeding code with two small cores of the five animals each with the organization’s advisory support.
“The study of the ulcer and in general for the preservation of the indigenous genetic material of the country is urgently pointed out by Amalthea due to the rapid decline in the local goats and the ever -increasing introduction of foreign genetic material … The great phenotypic and genetic variant in the indigenous goats It has not been systematically studied while the relevant scientific literature is almost non -existent. But today there are new modern methods such as DNA analysis techniques that can help classify local populations as tribes and with the aim of maintaining and utilizing products … “.
The indigenous breeds of agricultural animals in Greece, Europe and the world
Around the world, indigenous breeds of agricultural animals are considered a valuable heritage that must be preserved, preserved and exploited in the present of domestic production, rural economy, nutrition, tourist gastronomy, etc. In the latest exposure to the global state of animal genetic resources for livestock and food, the United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) records 5,584 different breeds of mammalian agricultural animals in the world. Of these 2,572 come from Europe.
According to “Amalthea” data There are few international improved breeds that dominate all countries while limiting dramatically The numbers of the animals of many indigenous breeds. Worldwide 7% of recorded races have already disappeared. 75% are in an unknown condition or at risk of extinction and only 18% are not at risk.
In Greece, according to a study by Hippler C-CCD Nick. Kostaras and Professor Joseph Bizelis of the 9 bovine breeds reported 50-60 years ago, only two are in normal state (buffalo, short-term), 2 in precarious or at risk of extinction (Katerini-Sykias), one is in critical condition (Kea). One of the cattle populations one is at risk of extinction (Rodopi) while 5 in critical condition (Prespa, mountainous Crete, Nisyros, Agathonisi, Kastelorizo).
In the horsepower, Of the 8 Greek tribes one is in a state of sensitive (Pindos) one in a state of danger disappearance (Skyros, Andravidas, Messaras, Rhodes) and two in an unknown state (Thessaly, Greek Nike).
In sheep from at least 40 tribes reported during the 20th century 14 are in normal condition, 5 in sensitive, one at risk, 3 in precarious, one at risk of extinction, 5 in critical condition and 5 in unknown condition. Definitively missing are considered 9.
In the goats the domestic Greek goat With all variations not studied, it decreases rapidly and has received significant foreign effects in the last decades. The goats of Skopelos and Karystos are in normal condition. The domestic (black) Greek pig is also in normal condition. At rates, 40% of domestic breeds are in normal condition, 60% are vulnerable to 30% of them in critical condition.
“The indigenous Greek tribes, Mr Bizelis concludes, are of great national value as unique genetic resources, whose loss is not reversible. They are of great economic importance because they produce special products with added value while having invaluable value as a cultural heritage of our country. “