Tigers require large areas to survive. Habitat loss is leading to the reduction and isolation of key populations, especially in Southeast Asia.
Small, isolated populations tend to have reduced genetic diversity – making them more vulnerable to disease and the impacts of climate change, as well as compromising fertility levels and offspring survival. Conservation efforts sometimes translocate individuals from other areas to sustain or re-establish species populations, with many variables influencing the success or failure of such initiatives.
Research led by WildCRU’s Eric Ash evaluated the potential effect of tiger translocations in Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai (DPKY) forest complex. Results showed that introduction of females resulted in higher population numbers and genetic richness compared to introduction of males. However, genetic diversity was shown to decline markedly over time unless additional individuals are introduced at regular intervals.
This work illustrates the crucial importance of monitoring and managing genetic diversity in small populations of endangered species.