Genetic diversity is essential for a healthy population, and conservationists believe that the introduction of eight bulls to Addo from the Kruger National Park, will not only increase the diversity of the gene pool but reintroduce a dominant tusk gene (SANParks Media Release, 1). The bulls selected were also not known to be aggressive towards other elephants and humans as park officials did not want to introduce behavior inconsistent with those of the Addo elephants. To ensure that these 8 bulls have a greater chance of becoming dominant and adding their genes into the Addo herds, officials relocated a number of dominant Addo males into other parks. Initially, the original 11 were very aggressive towards humans, but subsequent generations
With only two hundred and fifty to three hundred left, the critically endangered Cross River Gorilla roams the African forests while on the brink of extinction (Save Our Species). Africa has many populations of primates that are at the least endangered, and the Cross River Gorilla is the closest to extinction and the least studied due to the rarity of observing them. (Save Our Species). These gorillas are confined to small, mountainous areas that have been separated over and over again by fragmentation, furthermore ruining the needed social aspect of the groups and need for vast land (Imong, I., & Robbins, M.), (Save Our Species) The increased hunting and fragmentation of these Gorilla’s habitats has caused a large problem with how the
Zoos play an important role in conservation. It is important to realize zoos have breeding programs that help restore threatened species. As a result of those breeding programs, the Los
The authors compared Kamilah's genome with sequence data from two other western lowland gorillas and an eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringeigraueri), and found substantial genetic differentiation within the genus, consistent with previous data (9). The genus is currently classified into four subspecies, two for each of the two species, but the variation identified by Scally et al. suggests further analysis of genetic diversity in gorillas is warranted.
Endangered animals can be brought out of possible extinction. This is done by, “Using robust and sophisticated breeding programs, these institutions fund and facilitate countless initiatives to propagate species and preserve genetic biodiversity, and then reintroduce critically endangered or extinct species into the wild,” according to Dr. Robert Ganzert (“Zoos are not Prisons, they Improve the Lives of Animals”). The world today is encountering a major catastrophe in which many animals are extinct or brought to near extinction. Therefore scientists can now grasp that this is an extensive issue in which humans are the major cause of this complication. Zoos can slowly breed back the endangered animal to a stable population. Researchers in these zoos can help come up with ways of preventing and
” Just a decade ago, animal rights activists advocated the “liberation” of apes in zoos, some unaware that a revolution in great ape exhibitry was under way worldwide. Today, 40 AZA zoos are currently planning or implementing significant improvements in their elephant exhibits (J. Maddy, personal communication, June 11, 2006). Many primate experts endorse exhibits designed to provide appropriate social stimulation and challenge the animal’s intellect. What is good for apes may be equally good for elephants”, (Maple 65).
The second plan is the “Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Western Lowland Gorillas and Central Chimpanzees 2015–2025” by the IUCN, which was implemented in 2014. The plan addresses the species specific threats and the recommended actions. It also looks at different priority sites and site specific actions. Furthermore, the plan gives an overview of the research that has been done concerning gorillas and chimpanzees.
The study and research of reproduction in elephants is increasingly critical in consideration of the quickly dwindling population numbers and estimates. The current Asian elephant population is estimated to lie between 50,000-70,000 across the world, with 15,000 of these individuals in captivity. African elephant population numbers are low as well after serious culling through hunting and poaching. These numbers make the low reproduction rates a great concern as elephants do not currently sufficiently reproduce at an adequate rate to sustain population size.12
The expansion of civilization and advancement in technology has always been seen as betterment to the populations of the world. With this advancement we are finding that many more animal habitats are being threatened and often times destroyed, leading to the decline and in most severe cases the extinction of species. Among the World Wildlife Foundation’s endangered species list there are sixteen critically endangered species, three of those sixteen are gorillas. I will be addressing the condition of the Mountain Gorilla, a species that was predicted to “…be extinct by the end of the twentieth century” (WWF), but through a struggle for survival and with the intervention of man is expanding in population. I will be discussing the human factors that are causing the possible extinction of this species, future preventative steps that can be taken to protect these animals, and the importance of the protection of this species, as well as the importance of the protection of all primate species.
77 elephants were examined at a British zoo, and only 11 of them were able to walk correctly. It is said that advancements are being made to improve elephant environments in captivity, but numerous zoos have shut down their elephant attractions (Smith, 2008).
Explain in terms of the concepts presented in the readings. Consider how the Giraffe and Elephant “key dynamics” relate to diversity management.
The first premise is based on the fact that elephant provides entertainment for people who visit the circuses. The elephants are taught various tricks that they present at the circuses and provide enjoyment to people. The elephants are fed and taken care off even when they are not performing. The elephants require a lot of resources for them to be well taken care of. The use of elephants ensures that they are protected whereas in other parts of the world the elephants are killed by poachers for their tusks. If the elephants were to be related into the wild, they would be left at the risk of poachers yet they are safe and protected in the circuses (Wemmer & Christen, 2008).
But even that didn't work. “After years of being regarded as an unassailable haven for wildlife, South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park has been hit by elephant poaching. In May 2014, the first killing of an elephant for its tusks in ten years was reported in the park. By mid-October 2015, 19 Kruger elephants had been killed for ivory. Twelve of those were killed in September and October alone”(National Geographic). It is said that, South Africa can expect poaching to increase dramatically in the Kruger National
Genetic diversity in a population is the genetic variability in the genotype of species. It serves as a way for a population to adapt to an evolving environment because more variation allows species to survive in natural selection (“Introduction To Genetic Diversity,” n.d.). This can be assessed in various ways such as counting the allele frequency per loci, using chi-square to analyze “the differences among loci and breed,” testing for “Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium” between gene and genotype frequencies and calculating the average heterozygosity (“Measuring Genetic Diversity,” 2011, p23-25). Also, measuring the nucleotide diversity in a population is not only another way of assessing genetic diversity but it allows researchers to determine the causative
produced a study that examined the later-life consequences of breeding on a population, particularly breeding early in life. Hayward et al. also used the Myanmar timber camp Elephas maximus to perform the research, looking at the records of 416 reproductive captive born mothers and their offspring. The elephants used were from 8 regions of the Myanmar timber camps with the youngest breeding being 5 years of age and the oldest being 53. The mean age at the first birth of offspring was 19.48 years with the maximum number of lifetime calves being 10 calves. Hayward et al. discovered that individuals who didn’t produce calves before the age of 19 had lower calf survival than those who produced one or more calves before the age of 19. Although beginning reproduction earlier in life is correlated with a shorter lifespan, the cost is outweighed with higher annual breeding success as well as increased calf survival (Hayward et al). The investment of energy and resources into breeding at an early age increases the chance of calf survival but also results in shorter lifespans compared to those who begin reproduction later in life (Hayward et al.). Based on the findings, the costs of early-life reproduction are offset by higher lifetime breeding success in younger elephants. The breeding success of younger elephants can be attributed not only to early reproduction, but also to older females in a herd. While Hayward et al. observes the effects of young
When they are placed in captivity, it strips them of the capacity to grow with their offspring, make their own homes, and live the way they desire. The animals are taken from their habitat simply for money, and the interest of people, however, we rarely give them something good in return. Throughout the years, many animals have died due to an environment that is not natural to them. In zoos, aquariums, circuses, etc., the animals are placed in areas that do not benefit the animals, physically mentally, and emotionally. For example, " a survey of the records of 4,500 elephants both in the wild and in captivity found that the median life span for an African elephant in a zoo was 16.9 years, whereas African elephants on a nature preserve died of natural causes at a median age of 56 years"(Zoos: Pitiful Prisons). Hence, captivity does not save an animal from extinction, but it decreases survival. Furthermore, animals that are released back into the wild, but are born in captivity, and bred in captivity, have a small chance of survival in the wild. "Captive-bred animals that are reintroduced to the wild will mate with other previously captive-bred animals, thereby reducing the integration of their genetic material into the wild population (Lansdowne).This means the animals will be at a disadvantage because they will not have inherited the behaviors needed to survive in their natural habitat, leading to an increase in