In a bid to conserve the species, NARC has taken a set of eight cows and a bull from Sablakhu, Sinam and Aangkhop, according to Ramchandra Kattel, staff at District Animal Service Office. He added that locals were unaware of the uniqueness of the species.According to NARC's Animal Specialist Raju Kandel, Sirigai species from Taplejung, Lili species from Mustang and Achhami species from Achham had been brought to the centre at Khumaltar. "This campaign has been started to save these endangered species and to increase their numbers," said Kandel. According to him, preparations for artificial insemination are being carried out after collecting sperm from the bull. Also another bull of a closely related species will be used for mating with the Sirigai cow.
When NARC found out that Sirigai species was among the cows being sent from Taplejung to Bhutan's slaughterhouses, NARC officials jumped into action. "After verification of the endangered species we bought them from farmers and are working to conserve them," Kandel said. The centre also bought the Lili and Achhami species from farmers.
After cow, campaigns to conserve endangered buffaloes and goats are also to be carried out, informed Kandel.
Milk from cows of Sirigai, Lili and Achhami species is said to be have immense health benefits. According to assistant technician at the District Livestock Services Office, Kulbahadur Gurung, cows of these species give milk 2 to 3 times a day. And because of the health benefits of their milk and the amount of milk produced per day, NARC has taken the initiative to conserve the species.
Sirigai species can be identified by their few strands of spiked hair, curled horns and small tuft in the forehead.
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