The domestic livestock resources of Turkey: status, use and some physical characteristics of mules.
Abstract: Mules are known to have been used as carriage and riding animals in Mesopotamia and Anatolia as early as the beginning of the second millennium BC but may have been first bred in Anatolia in the Third Century BC. They have thus contributed to Turkey's cultural, social and economic heritage for more than 4,000 years and were an ancient component of its guild of domestic animals and overall biodiversity. Once bred country-wide most mules are now introduced "illegally" to the southeast and east from Iraq and Iran. Mules are now bred only in one small area in north-central Turkey close to the Black Sea. The major role as a pack animal has been usurped since the mid-twentieth century by increasing use of motor transport and numbers have declined rapidly since the early 1980s. In 2009 about 51,500 mules remained in Turkey, mainly distributed in discrete areas in the extreme southeast, the centre-south, the northwest and the centre-north. In the southeast the main role is in cross-border trade (much of it described as smuggling) whereas in other areas mules are used in support of pastoral and farming operations. Mules in Turkey are of various colours but are generally large and strong compared to those found in many other countries. Pressure on numbers will continue and will exert a negative effect on a part of Turkey's national heritage and domestic animal biodiversity.
Publication Date: 2013-03-06 PubMed ID: 24833995PubMed Central: PMC4013980DOI: 10.1294/jes.23.47Google Scholar: Lookup
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This research article provides an overview of the historical and current status of mules in Turkey, including their use, distribution, and characteristics. The article further discusses the impact of declines in mule populations on Turkey’s national heritage and domestic animal biodiversity.
Historical Use and Significance of Mules in Turkey
- The article mentions that mules have been a part of Turkey’s heritage for more than 4,000 years, dating back to the beginning of the second millennium BC. The animals were initially used for transportation and riding in Mesopotamia and Anatolia.
- Mules are believed to have first been bred in Anatolia in the Third Century BC and are an integral part of the country’s cultural, social, and economic heritage.
Current Status and Distribution of Mules
- While mules were once bred throughout the country, today most mules are introduced to southeast and east Turkey from Iraq and Iran, often through illicit means. Breeding only occurs in a small area in north-central Turkey near the Black Sea.
- The population of mules in Turkey has seen a decline since the early 1980s, with the animal’s major role as a pack creature being replaced by motor transport, starting mid-twentieth century.
- In 2009, around 51,500 mules remained in Turkey, primarily spread across specific areas in the extreme southeast, the centre-south, northwest, and the centre-north.
Uses and Characteristics of Mules
- The primary role of mules varies by region. In the southeast, mules are mainly involved in cross-border trade, an activity often referred to as smuggling. In other parts of the country, they support pastoral and farming operations.
- The mules in Turkey show variation in colour, but are generally large and strong compared to those in other countries.
Impact of Reducing Mule Population
- The research article suggests that the continuing decline in mule numbers will negatively affect Turkey’s national heritage and domestic animal biodiversity.
Cite This Article
APA
Yilmaz O, Wilson RT.
(2013).
The domestic livestock resources of Turkey: status, use and some physical characteristics of mules.
J Equine Sci, 23(4), 47-52.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.23.47 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Igdir University, 76100 Igdir, Turkey.
- Bartridge Partners, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9AS, UK.
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