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Population Genetics
Recent calculations using retention
of 90% genetic diversity for 150 years suggest a minimum viable population of 300 animals. This
should be attainable with continued good genetic management.
The original X potential founders of the population have living descendants from Y founders.
Thirty-nine wild caught animals are still living. Gene drop analysis shows that 98.5% of the gene
diversity that was present in the wild source population is presently retained and has 33.5 founder
genome equivalents. If all living animals are managed optimally, it is theoretically possible to achieve
99.3% gene diversity and 69.5 founder genome equivalent. However, the next few years are the
last opportunity to breed the 13 remaining unrepresented founders before they become
physiologically post-reproductive or die.
Mean kinship values range from 0 to 0.025; the mean kinship of the population is 0.0154. In the
entire studbook of Y animals, the mean inbreeding coefficient is 0.004; only 11 individuals have
positive inbreeding coefficients.