Abstract: The accelerating demands of a growing human population and the pressures of economic development are affecting the security and survival of many indigenous African small ruminant breeds. Until now, these breeds have been a stable part of their particular ecosystems for hundreds of years. There is an increasing tendency to introduce exotic germplasm and/or to concentrate on a narrow range of supposedly more profitable breeds. As a result, indigenous small ruminant breeds are threatened, even though they have been naturally selected for the local environments and are therefore best adapted. Problems preventing extensive utilization and improvement of African animal genetic resources need to be identified. Genetic improvement programs need to be renewed. Breeds already endangered need to be conserved as a matter of urgency even if their economic value is not presently apparent. Concurrently, information should be compiled on reproductive performance and adaptive characteristics of these Animal Genetic Resource (AGR) populations to aid the development of rational utilization and conservation programs.