SUMMARYThe recently published World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity (WWL-DAD) provides the first comprehensive list of endangered livestock breeds worldwide (FAO/LTNEP 1993). This document will function as a global early warning system to help prevent the erosion of livestock genetic resources. Seven species are covered, namely ass, buffalo, cattle, goat, horse, pig and sheep. Within these species, breeds at risk are defined as critical (The Critical Breeds List) or endangered (The Endangered Breeds List) based on the number of breeding females. Although the statistics for these seven species are still incomplete at the time of going to press, over 390 breeds are already known to be at risk.