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The registration and monitoring of any livestock species in the country is not only an undeniable necessity for the preservation of genetic resources, but also constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for breed improvement. The biodiversity of camels is the result of thousands of years of adaptation to climatic conditions, environmental stresses, breeding management, and pathogenic factors. The conservation and revival of this rich genetic resource, which harbors invaluable secrets, represents a religious, national, and international duty to meet the needs of future generations and to serve as their heritage. Unfortunately, over the years, the potential of this valuable national asset has not been sufficiently studied and is currently at risk of extinction. The monitoring and registration of this valuable breed and species can both facilitate the identification and utilization of its unique potential, and prevent its destruction. Accordingly, this study was conducted to identify, register, and monitor Turkmen camels. This project was implemented in collaboration with the Deputy for Livestock Production Improvement, livestock affairs offices of the counties of Gonbad, Aq Qala, Gomishan, Maraveh Tappeh, and Kalaleh, with the participation of camel breeders and the private sector. With the cooperation of the executive sector, breeders of Turkmen camels were identified. For the purposes of milk recording, biometric traits, and growth assessment, 153 samples were selected, and blood samples were collected from 100 camels. The Turkmen camels were well known to professional breeders. The breeding system was mainly traditional and village-based, such that, in most cases, camels with small-scale ownership were herded collectively by a single breeder. During lactation periods, camels were brought to the village by their owners to utilize the milk and its products. Camel milk is processed into a product known as "Chal" (fermented camel milk) and supplied to the local markets. Camel husbandry is mainly concentrated in Gonbad County and, more generally, across the steppe region between the counties of Maraveh Tappeh, Gonbad, and Aq Qala, which together account for the majority of the province's 15,000 camels. This area mainly consists of rangelands, rainfed fields, and saline soils. The camel population has fluctuated between 7,000 and 15,000 in different years, depending on the prosperity of animal husbandry. One of the major genetic problems is inbreeding, which results from the reduced population of breeding males. The main reasons for the reduction in breeding males are increased maintenance costs and decreased income. Under such circumstances, keeping male camels imposes high costs, so most breeders avoid doing so. The minimum, maximum, and average milk production of Turkmen camels were 3, 9.5, and 7.6 kg, respectively. The average gestation period for Turkmen camels was estimated to be over 12 months. Camels generally give birth every 19 to 24 months, but this interval can increase to as much as three years due to certain diseases and nutritional deficiencies associated with economic conditions. Mating in camels generally occurs during the winter and even into early spring. The average birth weight of camel calves was approximately 37 kg. The average withers height, chest girth, and body length were found to be 183, 194, and 133 cm, respectively. Improving the pricing and marketing of camel dairy products, alongside the implementation of breeding improvement programs, can transform camel husbandry into a profitable profession while also preserving genetic resources.
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