Endangered Swiss livestock

The five animals featured in the designs are considered endangered for various reasons, such as their very small population, declining numbers, severely restricted geographic range or genetic factors. The set of five species has something else in common: they are traditional landraces that have an agricultural or socio-cultural connection to Switzerland. These two characteristics explain why the Valais Red sheep, Tricolour small spotted rabbit, Rhaetian Grey cattle, Appenzell bearded hen and Copperneck goat are classed as ProSpecieRara breeds. The foundation is committed to preserving more than 5,700 crop varieties and 42 livestock breeds through various projects, knowledge transfer and political engagement.