An innovative conservation program that focuses on the release of specially selected, captive-bred Arabian leopards could play a crucial role in salvaging the dwindling wild population of this endangered big cat.
Recent research highlights a concerning lack of genetic diversity among the wild leopards in Oman, but it also reveals a more substantial genetic variety among their counterparts bred in captivity.
This genetic pool could be the key to revitalizing the Arabian leopard population.
Research Overview
An international group of researchers, featuring specialists from the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, University of East Anglia (UEA), University College London (UCL), Nottingham-Trent University (NTU), alongside collaborators from Oman’s Diwan of Royal Court, set out to study this elusive species.
Their surveys, conducted in the rugged Dhofar mountain range of southern Oman, aimed to gauge the status of the remaining leopards in the wild.
Employing camera traps and analyzing DNA from leopard droppings, as well as samples from captive individuals, the scientists estimated that just 51 wild leopards survive in Oman.
Alarmingly, these animals exist in three separate subpopulations that are isolated and lack genetic robustness.
Genetic Insights and Conservation Strategies
The stark contrast in genetic health between wild and captive leopards is noteworthy.
The captive population boasts greater genetic variability, particularly among those whose lineage can be traced to Yemen.
This diversity is pivotal, suggesting that these leopards could substantially contribute to the survival of their wild counterparts.
To address the crisis, researchers are advocating for a ‘genetic rescue’ approach.
This involves introducing offspring from genetically diverse captive leopards into the struggling wild population, thereby enhancing their overall viability.
Still, the team cautioned that any benefits must be weighed against the risk of existing inbreeding within the captive stock, demanding a careful assessment before proceeding.
The team’s findings were published in the journal Evolutionary Applications, showcasing a blend of conservation genetics from DICE, advanced computer simulations from UEA, along with extensive field research in Oman.
They not only evaluated the genetic make-up of Arabian leopards but also projected the extinction risks and explored potential strategies for genetic rescue to secure the future of the species.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
Professor Jim Groombridge from DICE emphasized the importance of their collaboration with Oman’s Diwan of Royal Court, stating that they meticulously collected leopard scat across varying elevations to extract DNA for a deeper understanding of the genetic landscape.
Dr. Hadi Al Hikmani, who spearheads Arabian leopard conservation efforts for the Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia, pointed out the study’s urgency given the leopards’ elusive nature and dwindling numbers.
He explained that monitoring these animals in their natural environments relied heavily on setting up camera traps and gathering scat for genetic analysis.
Thomas Birley, a PhD student at UEA responsible for the computer modeling, noted the significance of fusing genetic data from both wild and captive populations to develop the most effective strategies for ensuring the long-term survival of this critically endangered species.
Adding to the discourse, Professor Cock van Oosterhout from UEA illustrated how the existing wild population is closely knit genetically, descending from a limited number of ancestors after experiencing a major population decline.
This lack of diversity raises the stakes, as it can amplify the risks of inbreeding and the emergence of detrimental genetic traits.
Yet, there is hope.
The potential genetic burden poses serious risks, but by applying genetic rescue techniques, the dangers of inbreeding can be mitigated.
The researchers concluded that the wild Arabian leopard population stands to gain significantly from the introduction of more genetically diverse leopards from captivity.
They stressed the importance of a balanced approach, ensuring that the introduction of new traits does not inadvertently introduce harmful characteristics to the wild population.
Source: ScienceDaily