Population management as a tool in the recovery of the critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus in Senegal, Africa

A semi-captive population of the critically endangered Western Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus) in Senegal, established with just six founders in 2000, demonstrates significant potential for genetic resilience and recovery. Over nine years, this population grew to 54 individuals while maintaining 77% of its original gene diversity through careful management strategies like minimal kinship breeding. Despite a low effective population size (Ne/N = 0.13) and moderate inbreeding (F = 0.119), the study predicts that incorporating new founders could preserve at least 75% of genetic diversity over a century, with full wild population integration potentially retaining 90%. The research highlights the feasibility of using semi-captive populations as a critical tool for subspecies survival, offering hope for future reintroduction or reinforcement efforts. This approach combines demographic monitoring, pedigree analysis, and modeling to guide long-term conservation strategies.

Koláčková, K., Hejcmanová, P., Antonínová, M., & Brandl, P. (2011). Population management as a tool in the recovery of the critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus in Senegal, Africa. Wildlife Biology, 17(3), 299–310. Portico. https://doi.org/10.2981/10-019