Short Communication: Estimating abundance, survival and age structure of the Alberes cattle using recapture techniques

Fina, M., Casellas, J. and Piedrafita, J. 2011. Short Communication: Estimating abundance, survival and age structure of the Alberes cattle using recapture techniques. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 343–347. The Alberes breed is an endangered bovine breed with an unknown population size. In this study, we estimated a total of 447.9 (435.5 to 456.6) individuals using capture-recapture methods. Overall survival and recapture estimates were 0.85±0.01 and 0.94±0.01, respectively, leading to an average longevity of 5.64 yr and with the highest death rate concentrated in the first 3 yr of life (38.94%). For breeding cows, the average length of the productive life was 8.35 yr. The current population of this local breed is too small to prevent future losses of genetic variability, and a conservation program is essential to ensure the long-term viability of the breed.