THE ANGORA GOATS IN HİSTORY (1765-1908)

Ankara goat has been bred by Turks since the earliest times when they settled in Anatolia (Asia Minor). Over time, the Turks developed mohair processing techniques and achieved significant success in the weaving of mohair fabrics. However, the fact that Ankara goats were taken from Turkey to other countries of the world and bred with high yields led to the loss of the Turkish monopoly on this animal. Thus, Anatolia, the cradle of Angora goat breeding in the world, lost its superiority in this field. Consequently, Anatolia, the cradle of Angora goat breeding on a global scale, has relinquished its preeminence in this field. It is a historically remarkable event that Angora goats were taken from Türkiye to other countries and thus enriched these countries with a new industry. This historical research based on document analysis reveals the importance of Ankara goat by giving historical examples of efforts to breed Ankara goat outside Anatolia through various sources from England, Germany, Austria, Australia and the United States. According to the results of the research, the first recorded attempt to breed Angora goats in Europe was made by the Spanish government in 1765. This was followed by various attempts in other European countries. The year 1908, the year in which the study was limited, refers to the efforts to breed Angora goats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was then under the occupation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In addition, the first Angora goats were imported to Australia in 1833, South Africa in 1838 and the United States of America in 1849. In the 19th century, attempts to breed Angora goats, particularly in South Africa and the United States, were highly successful. The introduction of Angora goats contributed to the economic development of these countries through the establishment of a new industry.