Differentiating Fine Hairs from Wild and Domestic Species: Investigations on Shatoosh, Yangir and Cashmere Fibres

The fine undercoat fibres removed from wild goats hunted for meat and trophy, principally belonging to sub-species of Capra ibex, are used as an alternative to Shatoosh, the hair of the endangered Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). Although currently legal, the large-scale use of these fibres (known as “Yangir”), and hybridisation of ibex with domestic goats to improve fibre fineness and yield, would severely threaten the conservation of wild ibex. SEM investigation showed morphological differences in the cuticle cell pattern of fine fibres from domestic Cashmere goat, wild Yangir goat and Tibetan antelope. The study of the DSC traces revealed differences in the enthalpy of denaturation of the crystallites. This information enables the identification of the fibres, including those from lots submitted to dehairing processes, such as are commonly found in the animal fibre trade.