Two Maltese endemic cattle, a heifer and a calf, whose species is in danger of extinction, have been bought by the Ghammieri farm research centre for conservation and breeding purposes.

The animals, considered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation as being at risk of extinction, were bought from the only herdsman in Malta who still has them. The species was used in Maltese fields and has origins that go back to prehistory.

In the case of the two animals taken to the Ghammieri, their pedigree is over 96 per cent pure, which means that under the norms of Rare Breeds International they are considered to be pure.

A breeding programme is being developed at the Ghammieri by Prof. Mark Brincat, which could include embryo transfers and surrogate mothers techniques.