Populations of endemic ruminant livestock in four West African countries represent a highly diverse “genetic treasure trove”, which is under increasing threat of genetic dilution and extinction. The project will remove existing barriers to the in-situ conservation of three priority endemic ruminant livestock species – N’dama cattle, Djallonke sheep, and the West African Dwarf goat. In addition, the project will develop and implement models for community-based conservation and management of critical habitat for these species, thereby demonstrating strategies for preserving the unique genetic trait/habitat complexes that are of global significance. The project design is experimental, developing and testing an integrated approach to livestock conservation and management that simultaneously addresses livestock breeding and productivity, market development and economic policies, incentives and distortions, traditional and evolving patterns of resource use and land tenure, policies and legal frameworks, and information sharing and communication at the national and international levels.