Sheep in the Polish Carpathians: genetic resources conservation of the Podhale Zackel and Coloured Mountain Sheep

Native breeds of sheep in the Polish Carpathians (Polish Mountain Sheep, Podhale Zackel, Coloured Mountain Sheep) are very well adapted to the local environmental conditions, undemanding in feed and highly resistant to adverse living conditions. They play an important role in rural tourism as a component of landscape, folk culture and supplier of many valuable products. To save local breeds from extinction and preserve valuable characteristics in the population they were included in the sheep genetic resources conservation program, while the national agri-environmental program provides breeders with financial support. Podhale Zackels accompanied man during the period when the wild Carpathian areas were being settled and became a permanent feature of the highlander economy and culture. Coloured Mountain Sheep were kept by mountaineers due to the dark hue of their wool and skin, used to produce regional dresses and decorative elements. Mountain breeds are a multipurpose sheep. They give milk for production of traditional products (oscypek, bundz, bryndza, redykolka, zentyca), wool and delicious meat. Podhale Lamb, derived from mountain sheep, gained the status of Protected Geographical Indication.