On the stability of the goat herd in the pastoral Samburu

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Book chapter

Title:	On the stability of the goat herd in the pastoral Samburu
Author:	Shikano, Kazuhiro
Book title:	Study on human behavior and adaptation in arid areas of Africa
Year:	1984
Pages:	59-69
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Kenya
Subjects:	Samburu goats
Abstract:	The domestic goat herds of the Samburu in northern Kenya are observed from a socio-ecological point of view. The interaction between man and goats in herding is described. The herd shows group oriented behavior; stray goats autonomously return to the herd without human management. Examples of interherd relations show that goats distinguish their own herd from another and have a tendency to keep in contact with their own herd. It is concluded that the domestic goat herd is a sociologically stable unit. Maps, ref., tab.