Animal traction in South Africa: research priorities in veterinary science

During June 1994, members of numerous organisations with a vested interest in animal traction in South Africa met for a one-day workshop, the initial activity of a Forum on Working Animals. The workshop was sponsored by the Foundation for Research Development in South Africa. The individuals who attended were representatives of academic and government institutions, farmer and civic organisations, and included veterinarians and veterinary scientists, administrators, traction experts from the region and from abroad, agricultural engineers, sociologist, anthropologists and animal welfare experts. The objectives of the workshop were twofold: to address research priorities in veterinary science for traction animals and to identify future actions. Since it was a one-day workshop only, there was insufficient time to address issues in depth. However, problems were identified and appropriate actions were suggested. These actions were then delegated to a number of participants, to be refined and reported on at a subsequent workshop. Two key questions were considered and discussed by the participants, and a consensus reached for each. The first was to consider which species of traction animals are best suited to South African conditions. It was agreed that, in order of suitability, these are donkeys, cattle, mules and horses. The second question concerned the criteria which determine the usefulness of traction animals to South African communities. Two recommendations were made by the participants. The first recommendation was to design a questionnaire which would address the role of traction animals in the South African community and to identify communities in which the questionnaire would be implemented. At present, no information exists on the demographics of traction animals and their users. A list of questions was suggested and a working group from 6 institutions was identified to address this action. The second recommendation was to develop a research programme to study the 4 species which are most suitable for animal traction in South Africa.