Europe's endangered animal, raised by only a few farmers in Greece. How researchers are trying to save the breed

The Ulokeros goat, a native Greek breed with a lineage tracing back to ancient Greece, is on the brink of extinction. Only about 200 of these animals, recognizable by their distinct curved horns, now survive, primarily in the Viotia and Fthiotida regions of central Greece. This population is critically low, far below the approximately 2,000 individuals needed for long-term survival.

Researchers are spearheading an effort to save the breed and its genetic material. A crucial element of this initiative is a nearly century-old study by Professor I.N. Dimitriadis, discovered in a Zurich library. This document, previously unknown for decades, describes the authentic characteristics of the Ulokeros goat. Vasilis Lekkas, a researcher with "Amalthia," a network for conserving Greek indigenous farm animals, helped bring the study back to Greece.

"Professor Nikolaidis's study has given us the ability to differentiate between the remaining goats and identify those that were true Ulokeros goats and those that had undergone genetic modifications," Lekkas explained. The study's details are vital for distinguishing purebred Ulokeros goats from those with altered genetics, aiding conservation efforts.

The name "ulokeros" itself derives from ancient Greek, with "ulos" meaning "curved" and "keros" meaning "horn," referencing the animal's most striking feature. Historically found in Viotia and Fthiotida, the breed's drastic reduction in numbers underscores the fragility of indigenous species. Experts emphasize that native breeds like the Ulokeros goat possess valuable traits beneficial for agriculture, representing a hidden treasure of biodiversity.

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Professor Nikolaidis's study has given us the ability to differentiate between the remaining goats and identify those that were true Ulokeros goats and those that had undergone genetic modifications.