Criatorios

Criatorios are facilities dedicated to breeding and raising animals or plants for production, research, or conservation. The term is used primarily in Spanish-speaking contexts and can refer to sites where breeding stock is maintained, offspring are raised, and genetic lines are managed to meet specific objectives.

Typical purposes include supplying livestock and poultry industries, supporting aquaculture operations, producing breeding material for conservation programs, and supplying animals for biomedical or behavioral research. In agriculture, criatorios may specialize in cattle, swine, poultry, or fish; in biodiversity projects, they may host endangered species under controlled breeding to increase population numbers.

Operations at criatorios involve controlled mating plans, pedigree tracking, nutrition and welfare management, health surveillance, and biosecurity measures to prevent disease. Record-keeping, infrastructure such as housing, climate control, and containment facilities, and personnel training are essential. Ethical and welfare considerations are increasingly integrated, with oversight from veterinary authorities and compliance with animal welfare standards.

Regulatory frameworks vary by country but commonly cover licensing, animal welfare, disease prevention, environmental impact, and transport. Public and private criatorios may collaborate with universities, zoos, or agricultural agencies to support research, breeding improvement, and conservation aims.