Genome tools could support rhino conservation
Rhinos living in sanctuaries are at risk of in-breeding.
A genomic monitoring project is expected to improve the population of the critically endangered eastern black rhino.
The tools will support conservationists in managing the genetic diversity of black rhinos more affordably.
The project will utilise detailed DNA data from blood samples taken from black rhinos across Kenya. This will be used to create an imputation panel, which predicts the missing genetic information from other animals.
This will make it cheaper and faster for researchers to assess relatedness, genetic diversity and population structure across the country’s eastern black rhino subpopulations.
As part of the project, the team will also create a new genome assembly for the eastern black rhino. This detailed DNA reference map will be an essential tool for conservationists to monitor and protect the species’ genetic health through long-term management.
The project will be led by researchers from the Roslin Institute, which will also support bioinformatics training for staff at Kenya’s Wildlife Research and Training Institute. This will help them to build their capacity to carry out future genomic monitoring in-country.
Taking place over the course of two years, the project will be carried out in collaboration with the Wildlife Research and Training Institute and Kenya Wildlife Service.
Dr Melissa Marr, the lead scientist on the project, said: “Genomic tools can’t solve every conservation challenge, but they can help managers make better-informed decisions.
“By making genetic monitoring cheaper and easier to repeat, this project supports healthier, more diverse rhino populations as numbers continue to recover.”
Due to large scale poaching, the eastern black rhinoceros in Kenya were once reduced to small, scattered populations. Conservationists have improved these numbers, with many animals living in separate sanctuary subpopulations.
However, this puts animals at risk of in-breeding. Genetic information, therefore, is key for conservation experts to support healthier and more diverse groups.
Image © Michael Deckert/Shutterstock
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