REVIEW ARTICLE A review of some characteristics, socio-economic aspects and utilization of Zulu sheep: implications for conservation Nokuthula Winfred Kunene & Carlos C. Bezuidenhout & Ignatius V. Nsahlai & Edward A. Nesamvuni Accepted: 14 March 2011 /Published online: 21 April 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 Abstract Zulu sheep are Nguni sheep of Zululand and are adapted to the harsh conditions of KwaZulu-Natal. They are used by rural farmers for economic purposes. Their numbers are declining, indicating a potential extinction threat. Knowledge of their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics is essential for conservation planning. In this review, there is a focus on the utilization, socio-economic aspects, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as well as a proposed breeding programme. A survey has shown that rural farmers in the areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal prefer to keep this breed for its adaptability, resistance to diseases and meat quality. Zulu sheep are small-framed multi- coloured animals. Mature males weigh up to 38 kg and females up to 32 kg. Based on four morphological traits and live weight, phenotypic diversity between three populations was estimated at 48%. A genetic diversity between these three populations was estimated at 22%. Live weight of Zulu sheep can be estimated using the heart girth and wither height measurements. Scrotum circumference of young rams (up to 22 months old) is reliable for estimating the live weight. Animals that were characterized in the studies were grazed extensively and no supplements were provided. There is therefore a potential of weight increase if these animals are reared in a semi-extensive environment. An open nucleus breeding scheme is thus recommended for a sustainable use and conservation of this breed. For more conclusive results, larger numbers of phenotypic and genetic characteristics, in larger numbers of Zulu sheep populations, should be investigated. Keywords Indigenous sheep . Extensive farming . Body measurements . Conservation Introduction The ancestral wild stock of both the thin-tailed and fat- tailed sheep is identical (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 2007). From an Asian origin, sheep spread westwards to beyond the Mediterranean, including Europe and Africa (Epstein 1971). The process of domestication resulted in some morphological and physiological modifi- cations in sheep. For instance, wool replaced the hair coat in colder climates, the tail was lengthened and in some cases became a place of excess fat storage (Devendra and Mcleroy 1982). Fat-tailed sheep were first realized in Egypt at the beginning of the second millennium AD. The assumption is that they entered Africa (Egypt) on various occasions through both Suez and Babel Mandeb. It is believed that from Egypt, the population spread westwards N. W. Kunene (*) University of Zululand, Private bag X1001, Kwadlangezwa 3886, South Africa e-mail: nkunene@pan.uzulu.ac.za C. C. Bezuidenhout School of Environmental Science and Development, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa I. V. Nsahlai Department of Animal Science, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Private bag X01, Scottsville 3200, South Africa E. A. Nesamvuni Limpopo Department of Agriculture, Research and Training Services Branch, Private Bag X 9487, Polokwane 0700, South Africa Trop Anim Health Prod (2011) 43:1075–1079 DOI 10.1007/s11250-011-9823-3