Kankrej
Cow | |
| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk |
|---|---|
| Other names |
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| Country of origin |
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| Distribution |
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| Use | milk, draught |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Skin colour | dark |
| Coat | grey, from silver to dark |
| Horn status | horned in both sexes |
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The Kankrej (Hindi: कंकरेज) is an Indian breed of zebuine cattle. It originates from the arid region of the Rann of Kutch in the state of Gujarat, and in neighbouring Rajasthan. Under the name Kankaraj, it is also present in Tharparkar District, in Sindh, Pakistan. It is also known by the names Bannai, Nagar, Talabda, Vaghiyar, Wagad, Waged, Vadhiyar, Wadhiar, Wadhir and Wadial. It is a dual-purpose breed, used both for draught work and for milk production.
From about 1870 onwards, Kankrej bulls and cows were exported to Brazil, where they were used to create the Guzerá breed, which was later among the breeds from which the American Brahman developed.
The last official census data for the Kankrej population in India dates from 1977, when there were 465,000. In Pakistan, the population was recorded in 2006 at 273,000 head.