Paris, Damien B.B.P., Van Den Berghe, Femke, Paris, Monique C.J., Howell, Lachlan G., Witt, Ryan R., and Ganswindt, Andre (2022) Sperm banking and artificial insemination of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus): a hybrid future for cost-effective metapopulation management? In: SAWMA 2022 Presentation Abstracts. p. 89. From: SAWMA 2022: South African Wildlife Management Association Conference, 04-09 September 2022, Bonamanzi Private Nature Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

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Abstract

Over the last 6 years, more than one quarter of African wild dogs (AWDs) in South Africa have died due to the eradication of entire packs by rabies and canine distemper virus; leading to rapid loss of genetic diversity. Minimum goals for conserving species involve maintaining effective population sizes that preserve 90% genetic heterozygosity for 100 years. The current South African population is n≈350, with most fragmented reserves already at carrying capacity. This limits the country’s ability to maintain an effective AWD population, which coupled with disease mortalities accelerates genetic loss. Recent modelling in several Australian species has demonstrated that integrating assisted breeding tools such as sperm banking and artificial insemination (AI) into captive breeding programs could reduce the effective population size (~13-fold) and management costs (~7-fold) needed to sustain 90% heterozygosity for 100 years. Sperm banking coupled with AI can augment translocation and artificial pack formation strategies by acting as a genetic insurance policy against disease outbreaks, by supplementing fragmented populations without translocating live animals, and by introducing valuable genetic traits (e.g. disease resistance) into established packs without disrupting existing hierarchies. Our team has already (i) developed a sperm freezing protocol producing post-thaw sperm quality suitable for AI, and (ii) characterised a suite of behaviours and non-invasive faecal progesterone/oestrogen concentrations to predict the fertile period for AI in AWDs. We are currently developing genetic and cost modelling to predict the benefits of sperm banking and AI as tools to augment traditional metapopulation management of AWDs in South Africa.

Item ID:	84774
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Related URLs:	https://sawma.co.za https://sawma.co.za/conference-2022-2/
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2026 02:44
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