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During the SecondWorld War, the recruitment of Basque immigrants became a pressing issue among wool growers all over the American West. The restrictive immigration measures the U.S. Congress put in place during the mid-1920s had significantly reduced the amount of Basque labor available for sheep grazing. Since the early twentieth century, wool growers had been claiming that Basques possessed exceptional qualities lacking in other groups, particularly Mexicans. They touted Basques as "skilled" workers and emphasized their alleged racial and cultural talents for sheep grazing as justification to grant them permanent "skilled" labor immigrant permits. In refusing to employ Mexican workers, most western wool growers perpetuated the idea that Basques were the preferred racial group to labor in the sheep industry. This article analyzes the relationship between the Basque sheepherder myth and sheepherder shortages in WWII. It analyzes how wool growers justified the necessity of admitting Basque immigrants, an attitude which in turn reinforced the notions of Mexican otherness and backwardness in the western sheep industry. The "Othering" and exclusion of Mexican sheepherders contributed further to more positive attitudes toward Basque immigrants, all of which must be considered in the racial context of whiteness in America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photo essay which described the effects of the lockdown enacted in Shanghai, China as a response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in March and April 2022, and the lifting of lockdown restrictions in December 2022 is presented.

The scale and intensity of Navajo (Diné) sheepherding in the American Southwest has varied substantially over the centuries. In the 150 years since the signing of the Navajo Treaty of 1868, a variety of internal and external pressures have impacted the traditional pastoral practices of Diné communities. Phase 1 of the Early Navajo Pastoral Landscape Project focused on ethnoarchaeological investigations of the history, settlement patterns, and pastoral land usage of one Navajo family in Black Mesa Chapter, Arizona, Navajo Nation. This article presents the project's findings and discusses their implications within the context of local and regional events, as well as methodological concerns relevant to the identification of sheepherding sites across the Navajo Nation and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ager: Journal of Depopulation & Rural Development Studies / Revista de Estudios sobre Despoblación y Desarrollo Rural is the property of Rolde de Estudios Aragoneses and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Scrapie is a naturally occurring transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or prion disease of sheep and goats. Scrapie is a protein misfolding disease where the normal prion protein (PrPC) misfolds into a pathogenic form (PrPSc) that is highly resistant to enzymatic breakdown within the cell and accumulates, eventually leading to neurodegeneration. The amino acid sequence of the prion protein and tissue distribution of PrPSc within affected hosts have a major role in determining susceptibility to and potential environmental contamination with the scrapie agent. Many countries have genotype-based eradication programs that emphasize using rams that express arginine at codon 171 in the prion protein, which is associated with resistance to the classical scrapie agent. In classical scrapie, accumulation of PrPSc within lymphoid and other tissues facilitates environmental contamination and spread of the disease within flocks. A major distinction can be made between classical scrapie strains that are readily spread within populations of susceptible sheep and goats and atypical (Nor-98) scrapie that has unique molecular and phenotype characteristics and is thought to occur spontaneously in older sheep or goats. This review provides an overview of classical and atypical scrapie with consideration of potential transmission of classical scrapie to other mammalian hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have long recognized that the Good Shepherd discourse reflects a realistic picture of the ancient Palestinian shepherd and his relationship to the flock. But how far should the details in this metaphor be pressed? It is often asserted that any halfway decent shepherd would have been willing to die on behalf of his flock and that Jesus’ statement to that effect (10:11, 15, 17) reflects a common expectation. This scenario, however, would actually leave a flock more exposed to danger. Thus, it is appropriate to understand Jesus’ pronouncement as falling outside the realm of historical verisimilitude and better to regard the “laying down of the shepherd’s life” as the singular element of the discourse that is intended to advance the story’s christological agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on sheepherding tradition that would stratify Hispanic culture between shepherds and sheep owners and fresh grass enterprising pastores or herders moved farther out away from the safety of plazas. It mentions sheep caravans crossed deserts and faced dry drives and the dangers of alkali at water holes and problems with water crossings. It also mentions flockmasters moved sheep eight to ten miles per day by feeding.

The control of Q fever, a zoonotic disease caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacterium, remains a scientific challenge. Domestic ruminants are considered the main reservoir, shedding C. burnetii essentially through parturition products during abortion or birth. Sheep are particularly frequently associated with human outbreaks, but there are insufficient field data to fully understand disease dynamics and to instigate efficient control measures. A longitudinal follow-up study of a naturally infected sheep flock was performed (i) to investigate relationships between seropositivity and bacterial shedding in the vaginal mucus, (ii) to describe the kinetics of antibodies, including responses to vaccination, (iii) to monitor maternal antibodies in ewe lambs, and (iv) to compare serological results for milk and serum samples. For 8 months, we collected blood samples every 3 weeks from 11 aborting and 26 nonaborting dairy ewes, 20 nonaborting suckler ewes, and 9 ewe lambs. Individual milk samples were also obtained from lactating females. All serum and milk samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas vaginal swabs were tested by quantitative PCR. We found that some dairy females did not seroconvert despite shedding C. burnetii in their vaginal mucus. Overall, antibody levels in adult females were found to remain stable over time, with exceptions during the mating and lambing periods. Maternal antibodies decreased during the first month after birth. Interestingly, antibody levels in milk were correlated with those in serum. This study provides valuable field data that will help improve Q fever surveillance and within-flock management measures. IMPORTANCE Field data are necessary to improve the surveillance, diagnosis, and sanitary management of Q fever in livestock. Here, we provide extensive serological data obtained from serum and milk samples from infected and vaccinated ewes belonging to a naturally infected flock of sheep. We show that antibody levels are stable over time and seropositivity and vaginal shedding are not clearly correlated, whereas antibody levels in milk are strongly correlated with those in serum. Accordingly, we find that antibody levels in bulk tank milk are consistent with the variations observed in the serum of dairy females over time. We report the existence of maternal antibody transmission to ewe lambs and we show that the presence of maternal antibodies at birth does not prevent the development of a serological response to vaccination at the age of 4 months. Finally, we report that adult ewes generally seroconvert after vaccination, including during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Historia Contemporanea is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the U.S. Southwest, the introduction of domesticated animals in 1540 dramatically changed Native American subsistence strategies and cultural practices. Pueblo communities across the Southwest quickly adopted sheep into their diet and became dedicated sheepherders within a century, coming to hold herds numbering into the thousands. The Pueblo of Laguna, in west-central New Mexico, became especially focused on sheepherding in the mid-1800s, and by the early 1900s were more pastorally oriented than any other Pueblo. This article examines Laguna sheepherding practices around Mount Taylor, focusing especially in the San Mateo Basin. Synthesizing archaeological, ethnographic, and documentary sources, we investigate the apex of Laguna sheepherding, from 1862 to 1940, to provide a detailed description of Laguna sheepherding practices. With the foundation of a broad understanding of Laguna sheepherding, we also explore whether the material remnants of sheepherding can be archaeologically linked with particular tribes. We conclude that associating specific sheepherding sites with the Laguna solely on the basis of archaeological data is extremely difficult. As a result, archaeologists should be cautious in culturally labeling sites, and must use collaborative ethnographic and historical methods to more fully illuminate the remnants of sheepherding heritage that persist in New Mexico and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the early Roman period, there is archaeological evidence for the exploitation of the Flemish coastal plain (Belgium) for a range of activities, such as sheep herding on the then developing salt-marshes and salt-meadows for the production of wool. During the early Middle Ages, this culminated in the establishment of dedicated ‘sheep estates’. This phase of exploitation was followed by extensive drainage and land reclamation measures in the high Medieval period, transforming areas into grassland, suited for cattle breeding. As part of a larger project investigating the onset, intensification and final decline of sheep management in coastal Flanders in the historical period, this pilot study presents the results of sequential sampling and oxygen isotope analysis of a number of sheep teeth (M2,n = 8) from four late Roman and Medieval sites (dating from 4th to 15th century AD), in order to assess potential variations in season of birth between the different sites and through time. In comparison with published data from herds of known birth season, incremental enamel data from the Flemish sites are consistent with late winter/spring births, with the possibility of some instances of slightly earlier parturition. These findings suggest that manipulation of season of birth was not a feature of the sheep husbandry-based economies of early historic Flanders, further evidencing that wool production was the main purpose of contemporary sheep rearing in the region. Manipulation of season of birth is not likely to have afforded economic advantage in wool-centred economies, unlike in some milk- or meat-based regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Historia Agraria is the property of Historia Agraria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent renewed drives to maintain farming activities on extensive areas have been encouraged at the EU level, which previously had witnessed a phenomenon of partial abandonment and reduction in flock sizes. Successful restocking with naïve animals from outwith the farm is a challenge, as these animals are not familiar with the landscape and may lack the social interactions and ‘hefting’ qualities their homebred counterparts develop. This paper presents results from an experiment where young ewes from different origins (homebred and bought-in) were reintroduced onto a mountain range grazing area. Focal animals of both types were monitored using GPS tracking collars over a one year period whilst performance was recorded for the whole flock over a two year period, to gauge whether or not their origin had an influence on ranging behaviour and performance. Although initially the bought-in animals developed their own home range and interacted little with the main flock, after one summer grazing period they appeared to learn from and socially interact with their homebred counterparts, developing a knowledge of the grazing landscape. Despite initial weight change differences, later performance results of the animals were not affected by their origin. Provided that animals are encouraged and given opportunity to socially interact with the main homebred flock, this study indicates that it is feasible to restock extensive farms with animals from different origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of bilig: Journal of Social Sciences of the Turkish World is the property of bilig: Journal of Social Sciences of the Turkish World and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the last decades, an increase of pollutants of diverse origin (industrial, military, mining, etc.) was recorded in several areas of Sardinia Island. We report the results of a multidisciplinary and complementary study based on cytogenetic and physiological analyses. The data obtained show the effects of the environmental impact on six sheep flocks (Sardinian breed) grazing on natural pasturelands next to possible polluted areas and compared to three herds grazing in different areas far from those potentially contaminated and used as control. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test was used as cytogenetic test to analyze chromosomal damages and it was performed on peripheral blood samples collected from 129 adult sheep (age > 4 years) randomly selected from polluted (92 animals) and control (37 animals) areas. Two types of cell cultures were performed: without (normal cultures) and with the addition of 5-BrdU. SCE-mean values estimated over 35 cells counted for each animal were 8.65 ± 3.40, 8.10 ± 3.50, 8.05 ± 3.08, 7.42 ± 3.34, 9.28 ± 3.56 and 8.38 ± 3.29 in the exposed areas, whereas the average values were 7.86 ± 3.31 in the control group. Significant increases (P < 0.01) of SCEs were found in three investigated areas of Southern Sardinia. Furthermore, sheep of the same flocks were characterized for blood redox homeostasis in order to define the potential targets of oxidative damage and to identify biomarkers of the extent of animal exposure to environmental contaminants. The plasma levels of Asc, Toc and Ret were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.001) in exposed sheep (I, II, IV and V) than in the control group. TAC as well as GPx and SOD activities were higher in control than in the exposed groups (P < 0.001). Finally, plasma levels of N-Tyr, PC, and LPO were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the control group than in the exposed groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong increase in demand for animal products could benefit local producers in developing countries. This development opportunity particularly concerns suburban livestock. In Burkina Faso, the suburban area of Ouagadougou is a place for the setting up of an increasing number of breeders. Due to its importance in religious traditions, spurring its consumption in whole West Africa, mutton is a major part of this suburban production. In order to characterize sheep farming in the suburban zone of Ouagadougou, in terms of motives, practices, and economic performance, and to better understand the dynamic at play in the sheep sector, a survey has been conducted among 80 sheep farmers around Ouagadougou. The results show that suburban sheep keeping is a highly dual sector. Nearly half (42.5%) of farms may be described as traditional livestock, while 50% are evolving towards intensification. These two groups essentially differ in terms of animal genetic and feeding management, farm infrastructure, and farmer education level. Economically, the whole sample tends to indicate a lack of profitability of the activity in terms of monetary income. Several factors contributing to this situation are pinpointed, namely feed and animal health constraints, flock and production management, and the market conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is one of the most prevalent and costly infectious diseases of livestock, particularly sheep and cattle herds. The aim of this study was to estimate true animal, within-herd, and between-herd prevalence of Map antibodies in sheep herds of the Kars Region in the Northeast part of Turkey. A seroprevalence study was carried out using a commercial ELISA kit. Twenty six sheep herds, non-vaccinated against Map, were randomly selected in different regions and in total 450 sheep aged 24 months and more were sampled. Herds were declared positive if one or more sheep in the herd tested positive for Map antibodies. The animal, within-herd, and between-herd apparent prevalences were calculated as 6.2% (95% CI = 4.3 to 8.8%), 10.2% (95 CI = 7.1 to 14.3%) and 57.7% (95% CI = 38.9 to 74.5%), respectively. True prevalences were estimated by conversion from apparent prevalences via the Rogan-Gladen estimator. True animal, within-herd, and between-herd prevalences were calculated as 8.3% (95% CI = 4.7 to 11.8), 14.6% (95 CI = 8.9 to 20.2) and 90% (95 CI = 59.8 to 120.1), respectively. The results provide useful information regarding the prevalence of Map infection in sheep herds in the Kars Region and will hopefully attract the special attention of veterinarians and promote the establishment of an efficient control programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper defines the culinary tourism and its types, it deals with its key motivators and fundamental attributes as a marketing product of tourism in Slovakia. It briefly describes the tradition of sheepherding in Slovakia and it discusses the possibilities of the tourism expansion on the basis of sheepherding with the special emphasis on two regions in the north of the country -- Orava and Liptov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alongside crop growing, sheepherding has always been one of the more important occupations of the local population, agriculture and sheepherding being, in fact, inseparable occupations. The pastoral economy of the Drăgoiasa-Tulgheş depression string fits in the mountainous type landscape, with a massive domination of hayfields, natural pastures and grazable forests, which encompass the slopes as well as the higher areas. The period for grazing lasts between 130-150 days for cattle and 150-180 days for sheep. The pastures are used from May to October, while the hayfields, after the collection of hay. For the animals that are not „taken up” the mountain in summer, people use the hayfields and pastures found in communal areas, a phenomenon encountered only in Corbu and Tulgheş. We also mention the fact that some settlements such as Gălăuţaş, Sărmaş, Subcetate, Ruşii Munţi, Monor, Şieuţ do not have enough pastures, renting pastures from Topliţa, Bilbor and Borsec. Lower, within forest areas, there are clearings, mostly artificial, called 0132;smizi” (smidă), where grazing is forbidden as they contain plantations of tree saplings. However, when milk output is lower due to colder days or lack of grass, the shepherds go down with their herds to these plantations, or on recently deforested lands, where grass is plentiful, but they do it secretly and quietly due to the fines enforced for destroying these plantations, or due to the bears that can be found in these areas. A significant part of the rural population is in an intense seasonal movement from the permanent hearths towards temporary ones and the other way around, which emphasizes the existence of two types of sheepherding: local sheepherding, frequent in almost all the settlements of the depression string, taking place from spring until autumn in stationary, or mobile sheep dens, or with no den whatsoever, within the limit of the village, and an agricultural sheepherding, with sheep dens in the mountains, beyond the limit of the village, that takes place during warm months on the slopes of Căliman, Giurgeu, Hăşmaş and Bistricioarei Mountains. In general, the best pastures are those found on southern, south-western and south-eastern slopes, and especially on gradual ridges with a lot of sunlight and heat. The quality of pastures also depends on the manner in which they are used. For example, the introduction of cattle and horses, which graze on the old grass that sheep refuse, allows the development of young grass, thus improving the food quality and quantity of sheepherding products. Some of the most important grazing sites are: Stegea, Şuvărişte, Dobreanu Mic, Dobreanu Mare, Aluniş, Iuteş, Faţa Bilborului, Şestina, Muncelu, Secu, Şesul Comarnicului, Runc, Bâtca, Şăştina Barasău, Bălajul, Feţele Putnei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactation stage, parity, lambing season, and herd on fat and protein content in Pag sheep. Data included 21.033 test-day records of 2.332 ewes lambed between November 2003 and May 2008. Research was conducted in 32 herds (23 of them were reared in the south-western and 9 in the northeastern part of the Pag Island). Daily milk yield and milk components were recorded using AT4 method in the routine milk recording scheme. The stage of lactation, described by Ali and Schaeffer lactation curve nested within rearing area, had significant effect (P< 0.0001) on fat and protein content. The lowest fat and protein content was between the 20th (north-eastern part) and 30th day of lactation (south-western part) and increased towards the end of lactation. Parity also affected differences (P< 0.0001) in milk components. The lowest estimated value was observed in the first and the highest in the eighth parity for both traits. Differences in fat and protein content as a result of lambing season were also observed (P<0.0001). Pag ewes lambed in December 2003 had the highest milk fat content, while the lowest value was observed in milk from ewes lambed in February 2004. Winter lambing ewes (December 2004) had the highest, while ewes lambed in December 2005 had the lowest estimated protein content. Flock nested within rearing area affected fat and protein content significantly (P<0.0001). Ewes reared in herds from north-eastern part of Pag Island had wider range of fat and protein content compared to ewes reared in herds from south-western part of Pag Island. The knowledge about effects that have influence on milk components in Pag sheep provides useful information to breeders in production organisation on their farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the long-term effect of an ecological network of calcareous grasslands, a habitat type that experienced dramatic habitat loss and fragmentation during the 20th century, on species richness of habitat specialist plants. Calcareous grasslands are of special conservation concern as the habitat type with the highest diversity in plant and invertebrate species in central Europe. A baseline survey in 1989 established complete vascular plant species lists for all 62 previously abandoned calcareous grassland patches in the study area and assessed the presence of 48 habitat specialist plant species. An ecological network was initiated in 1989 to reconnect these patches with existing grazed pastures (core areas) through large flock sheep herding where feasible, as sheep are thought to be the primary dispersal vectors for calcareous grassland plants. An evaluation survey in 2009 showed significant increase in species richness of habitat specialist plants in patches reconnected by sheep herding, indicating successful colonizations by habitat specialist plants, while ungrazed patches showed no significant change. Observed increase in species richness between 1989 and 2009 was related to connectivity by sheep herding and the presence of a diversity of structural elements providing microsites for establishment. Baseline species richness of the patches, which had been abandoned since at least 1960, was associated with patch area, supporting the effect of ecological drift, and with vegetation type, which suggests that delays in extinction may be related to site factors governing the strength of competition with later seral species. The implementation of this ecological network represents a long-term 'natural experiment' with baseline data, manipulation, and evaluation of hypothesized effects on a clearly defined target variable. It thus provides much needed empirical evidence that species loss in fragmented calcareous grassland communities can be counteracted by restoring functional connectivity among remnant patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to improve Hemşin sheep grown by local people in Artvin province between 2006 and 2010. Growth characteristics such as live weight and daily live weight gains of Hemşin lambs in the various periods were examined for this purpose. The effects of some environmental factors such as herd type, sex, birth type, age of dam, color and year on these factors were also examined. In the study, growth characteristics of lambs born from 6000 ewes and 300 dams were measured based on performance tests and a selection practice was performed. Elite, multiplyres elite and base herds were established. The heritabilities belonging to the properties in question were determined. The breeding value for daily live weight gains up to the end of grazing season in the fifth year was calculated. At the end of five years span of the research, to improve the growth characteristics of Hemşin sheep and to increase live weight gain to be obtained from each lamb were targeted. Except the daily live weight gain in the grazing period, all the other growth characteristics increased at the examined period. Heritabilities of the characteristics in the study is found as 0.213±0.114, 0.385±0.119, 0.411±0.144, 0.402±0.136, 0.418±0.143 ve 0.420±0.066, respectively. As a result, in terms of examined growth characteristics of Hemşin sheep measured by individual performance testing, it is determined that Hemşin sheep can be breed by local people to improve its growth traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Founded on field research, our study is dedicated to the customs and the ritual-magic practices related to two stages of Maramures shepherding, which are very rich in traditions: the gathering and the dissolution of flocks. In dealing with customs and magic practices we have emphasized those which proved to be ancient, and which associate the rite of magic nudity and chastity, with those which count on the using of magic instruments of a large spreading: the passing of sheep over a chain, over an axe, building the fire of life, etc. We analysed the manner in which magic practices are regarded, as well as the shepherds' traditions in all the sub-divisions of the above-mentioned stages of Maramures shepherding: gathering the flocks, getting them up the mountain, the first milking, the feast of milk measuring, coming with the flocks from the mountains in autumn, and the dissolution of the flocks. Our study highlights both the functions of the rites, and the mythical symbolic of the components, as well as the magical instruments they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orf is a zoonotic and epitheliotrophic contagious disease that mainly affects sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and humans with a worldwide distribution. To date, there is little information on the characterization of ORFV strains that are endemic in Mainland China. In addition, the relationship between the severity of disease and the molecular profile of ORFV strains has not been fully elucidated. Results: From the recent outbreak of a sheep herd in Nongan, northeast of China, the novel orf virus (ORFV) strain NA1/11 was successfully isolated. Western blot analysis indicated that the NA1/11 strain cross reacts with monoclonal antibody A3 and infected sheep ORFV antiserum. The purified virions revealed the typical ovoid shape when observed by atomic force microscopy. To determine the genetic characteristics of the NA1/11 strain, the sequences of ORFV011 (B2L), ORFV059 (F1L), ORFV109, ORFV110 and ORFv132 (VEGF) genes were amplified and compared with reference parapoxvirus strains. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) was performed to analyze the nucleotide similarities between different ORFV strains. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis based on ORFV 011 nucleotide sequences showed that the NA1/11strain was closely related to Xinjiang and Gansu strains. ORFV110 and ORFV132 genes are highly variable. The results revealed that precise phylogenetic analysis might provide evidence for genetic variation and movement of circulating ORFV strains in Northeast China. In addition, nMDS analysis showed that geographic isolation and animal host are likely major factors resulting in genetic differences between ORFV strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For centuries, sheep transhumance has connected the Spanish highlands with the lowlands, creating a livestock system with important social, economic, cultural, and landscape effects. About 5 million sheep were involved in transhumant movements in the mid-1700s, but transhumance started to decay in the nineteenth century and almost disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1980s, transhumant sheep did not number more than 25,000 in the study area; at present the number exceeds 134,000, with herders practicing both descending and ascending transhumance. In this article we provide information not only on current numbers of transhumant sheep but also on the origins and destinations of the flocks. We also confirm that the reputation of transhumance, once regarded as quaint and antiquated, has been enhanced by the ecosystem services it provides and by the cultural and heritage continuities it renders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]