The Sunday Mail
Extra Correspondent
The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)’s School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation is currently undertaking extensive research on quail bird meat and eggs.
This is in response to speculation in the country that quail meat and eggs have medicinal properties that can cure most diseases that are ravaging the African continent.
According to the principal researcher, Dr Phill Taru, there has been an alarming increase in the trading of quail birds for domestication, mainly for meat and egg consumption, particularly in urban areas.
Nevertheless, this phenomenon should not be surprising as elsewhere, domestication of quails has been reasonably successful particularly with the Japanese quail (coturnix japonica).
As it stands, there is paucity of literature on the nutritional value and health benefits or threats of the Zimbabwean quail meat and eggs.
In response to misconceptions and lack of clear information on this matter, the CUT researchers who include Dr Phiri, Dr Ndebele-Murisa, Professor Bere, Mr Muposhi, Mr Tarakini, Mr Utete and Ms Kupika are investigating the nutritional quality and medicinal properties of domesticated and non-domesticated Zimbabwean quails and eggs.
Dr Kuda Chitindingu, a biochemist in the research team, has emphasised on the need to determine the purported anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in addition to memory-enhancing capabilities of quail meat and eggs. Resources permitting, the research team will generate information on the issues surrounding quail birds’ domestication and provide a platform for policy-makers and public engagement regarding the bird’s meat and eggs which has taken the country by storm.
The team will further explore the genetic profile of domesticated quail birds and those found in the wild as a platform to better understand the local quail bird species in Zimbabwe.
To date, one major cause of concern emanating from preliminary investigations is that the majority of quails being domesticated originated from outside Zimbabwe and there is now an increased desire amongst Zimbabweans to target local species and eggs from the wild. This has long-term conservation and ecological implications on the quail bird conservation in the country.
Accordingly, the research outputs are expected to inform science-based draft policy framework which will be used to regulate and control the trading of quail meat and eggs as well as inform the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the purported medicinal properties and nutritional value.
The team believes that there is need to acquire scientific facts so as to establish if the speculation surrounding quail meat and eggs is a business gimmick or genuine.
