PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF GOBRA ZEBU CATTLE OF CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ZOOTECHNIQUES OF DAHRA

Senegalese zebu Fulani (Bos taurus indicus), commonly called zebu Gobra, is one of three local cattle breeds. Its socio-economic importance for food security and incomes generation was at the origin of the establishment of the Centre de Recherches Zootechniques (CRZ) of Dahra in 1952 and the initiation of the Gobra cattle breeding program. In order to increase knowledge on local bovine breed, this study aimed to phenotypical characterization of Gobra zebu. Twenty-six (26) phenotypic parameters were measured or described on sixty-six adults animals (six males and sixty females) over 4 years of age chosen from the selection?s nucleus herd of the CRZ. Also, weight records on the animals from 2010 to 2016 were also analyzed. Qualitative parameters were expressed as percentages and descriptive analysis were done on quantitative parameters. Means comparison according to the sex of animals was performed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test according on results of the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. The main results showed that Gobra cattle is an ellipometrical animal with an average height at the withers of 121.56 ? 5.53 cm, a heart girthof 171.39 ? 11.23 cm and a body length of 127.15 ? 11.29 cm. The body weight?s average was 577.5 ? 81.32 kg and 393.81 ? 51.69 kg respectively for bulls and cows. Sexual dimorphism is marked between males and females with significant differences. Low weight performances are reported compared to previous studies in the same research station. Gobra breeding program needs to be reinforced and ex situ conservation should be considered.