As Tabaski approaches, the search for the perfect sheep becomes a priority in many Senegalese households. Between makeshift markets, overcrowded pens, and soaring prices, many families focus primarily on the size or cost of the animal. However, for experts, the most important factor remains the health of the animal destined for slaughter and consumption.

According to veterinarian Médoune Badiane of the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Production, the sheep chosen for sacrifice must meet several essential criteria. "It must not be thin or sick. It must be healthy, at least one year old, and show no obvious lameness," he explains. The animal's ears and limbs must also not be mutilated.

Before buying a sheep, veterinarians recommend carefully observing the animal. Dr. Farah Kesri, a veterinarian and ethologist, advises first observing the sheep from a distance. "You need to observe its gait, see how it stands on its four legs, and make sure it's properly balanced," she says. The animal's gait can indeed reveal certain illnesses.

A sheep that is limping may be suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, a contagious viral disease that significantly reduces the animal's value. A sheep that is staggering or circling may have listeriosis, a bacterial infection transmissible to humans and particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Veterinarians also advise caution with animals exhibiting nasal discharge or frequent sneezing, possible signs of parasitic infections.

After observation, a physical examination is necessary. Specialists recommend feeling the animal's ribs to check its body condition. If the ribs are too visible, the sheep is probably underweight or sick. Conversely, an excessively fat animal is not necessarily a good choice for consumption.

The sheep's age is also a determining factor. To determine it, you must examine its teeth. "Small teeth indicate an animal less than a year old. When the first two incisors appear, it means it's a year old," explains Dr. Kesri. Experts believe that a sheep that is neither too young nor too old offers more tender, higher-quality meat.

For animal and human health professionals, a successful Tabaski celebration is not just about buying a large sheep, but above all about choosing a healthy animal and adopting a balanced diet in order to preserve the health of the whole family.