Nadudana Cattle (miniature zebu)
These cattle originate from Sri Lanka and measure just 107cm, to well below 90cm in height (measured just behind the hump), these are the, naturally, smallest breed of cattle in the world. Nadudana are an ancient breed, with paintings depicting them dating back thousands of years. In their home countries due to religious beliefs they were not eaten, but used as work animals pulling plows and carts, and ridden by children and women. A very small number of these were exported to the USA in the 1920's, for Zoological displays. Currently there would be approximately 1500 pure Nadudana in the USA today. Australia imported 19 form the USA in 1995, and presently the entire pure Australian herd numbers less than 100 animals. The Rare Breeds Farm has managed to obtain 2 of the original imported cows, which are 14+ years of age, and some younger Bulls from Genelink in South Australia. Currently the Rare Breeds Farm is running a pure herd and also a separate grading up herd as well. Unfortunately the Nadudana do not respond to the super ovulation drugs, ruling out an embryo transfer project to build the herd.
In Sri Lanka dairy genetics were introduced to help alleviate famine and poverty. Due to the indiscriminate cross breeding with the introduced dairy breeds the pure Nadudana are now believed to be extinct in the country of origin.