Mutations in the Wild African Elephant Population

We all know that elephant numbers are dwindling around the world, primarily due to ivory poaching and trophy hunting. A recent study focused on African elephants of both species (savanna and forest) and found that, even though numbers are low, the health of wild African elephants is generally good, with the exception of some signs of inbreeding and genetic mutations. This week’s EleFact will delve more into this research and how the differences could impact future wild elephant health. 

In a recent study of 232 African elephants of both species from 29 locations across 17 countries, scientists found that elephants across a broad area of southern Africa can still roam large distances and exchange genes with unrelated elephants. They began to see trouble with isolated populations who live alone or on the edges of larger groups. Those instances show effects of increasing inbreeding, which means there is a loss of genetic variation, and that can potentially cause health problems, even if the elephants avoid mating with relatives. There are still many groups with high male competition, especially with savanna elephants, which can limit the number of reproductively successful males, lowering genetic diversity. 

This deterioration of genetic diversity makes it more difficult to adapt to environmental changes and more vulnerable to disease. However, these problems are not currently considered dire by the research team, since healthy populations are becoming stronger in many ways. More information will likely become available with time, but we are hopeful that diverse groups can remain healthy and, with much luck, begin to thrive again. 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/genetic-trouble-detected-isolated-african-151436394.html

Photo of Mara (right) standing next to Rana’s side