Genetic counselling to help preserve the captive apes
The Times
17 June 1986
Dr Andrew Loundon
Managers of captive populations of endangered species are worried that limited genetic diversity may lead to inbreeding. One group of animals, the great apes (gorilla, chimpanzee and orang-utan), is currently the cause of particular concern.
Their survival will depend on vigorous habitat-conservation measures combined with planned captive breeding programmes. Although the numbers in captivity are currently stable, demographic estimates point to a decline in the future. Their survival will depend on vigorous habitat-conservation measures combined with planned captive breeding programmes. Although the numbers in captivity are currently stable, demographic estimates point to a decline in the future. The main reason is that the captive birth rate is failing to keep pace with the gradual loss of older wild-born animals which have provided many recent births.
This may be caused by the importance of cultural and social, or possibly genetic, factors. For example, powerful incest taboos may exist for all the great apes and a young male and female might never mate if reared together.
