In 1993, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), having worked together to establish a global data base of domestic animal breeds, published the [World Watch List for Domestic Animals]. The list is the first attempt to document the state of global livestock genetic diversity, and was developed as an early warning system to help prevent erosion of genetic diversity in domestic animal species. The list covers asses, buffaloes, cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep to date, and among them the list has identified over 390 breeds at critical risk of extinction. The numbers will increase in future editions as the list incorporates all 30 to 40 domestic animal species in use. The World Watch List is based on the FAO Global Databank, part of the Global Information System for Domestic Animal Diversity.