The objective of this study is to present the local livestock breeds threatened with extinction as well to suggest an alternative initiative for their preservation and utilization. Both the geographical location and natural resources of Bulgaria are prerequisites for a large variety among species and strains of farm animals. Traditionally a considerable number of local breeds and strains have been bred on the territory of the country. In the recent 25–30 years an evident decline of their numbers is marked chiefly due to the introduction of high-productive, widespread breeds. This study presents the biological features of local indigenous breeds of farm animals threatened with extinction as well as the specificity of their region of location. The genetic research results based on polymorphism of serum blood proteins and blood groups are discussed. The diversity of indigenous sheep breeds is the largest, and 15 of them are under control. In latter years investigations show that they are 1.3 to 3.6 per cent from the total number of this species. The genetic analyses attest that these specific genetic resources can be used for keeping the genetic variety within and between sheep populations as well as for improving the adaptability of the newlyestablished breeds. Among the cattle two local breeds are of interest for genetic resources preservation purposes. As the most attractive emerges, Rhodope's Short-Horned cattle having unique biological characteristics as a representative of Bos Taunis in Europe and whose domain of location is over 1800 meters above sea level. The only impressive strain among the pig breeds has a different biological status from the well-known breeds on the European continent. The results of the present study show that the investigated indigenous breeds and strains are mainly located in mountainous regions considered as“hard”for farming. Thus, the preservation of genetic resources of local farm animals will contribute in using their valuable abilities of adaptation for breeding programmes in ecologically clear regions.
