The olor looks like an apron but works like a condom— for goats. Kenyan herdsmen are bringing back this traditional method of livestock contraception— a rectangular piece of cowhide or plastic tied around the belly of the male animal—to control breeding. The olor prevents the animals from mating and doesn’t require constant vigilance on the part of the herdsmen. They would otherwise have to keep the bucks and does in separate herds, which requires twice the number of supervisors to watch over them all.
In recent years, droughts in the region have thinned out pastures. If the goats were allowed to breed unfettered, the females would not be able to adequately care for their young. So this year, local villagers volunteered to follow a “family planning” initiative (which seems like an idea worth spreading, considering the prevalence of animal STDs.)
They decided on the olor because medical alternatives were unavailable. The devices are worn for several months during the breeding season and taken off only after the rains arrive in October or November. Since the villages depend on the goats for survival, the olor plan is taken very seriously. Those who allow their bucks to engage in unprotected philandering have to pay heavy fines.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
MAKE IT RAIN ON THESE DOES
Africa is facing big problems these days with their livestock, which in many cases is their only means of survival. Maasai herdsmen in Kenya have created a device to prevent bucks from mating with the female goats at a time that is very crucial t…