VN March 2023

Vetnuus | Maart 2023 14 Article Another concern of genetic testing is the ethical dilemma. Genetic testing may be used for purposes other than conservation. Breeding for selective traits is a known practice in many trades where a specific trait may be more desirable. Selective breeding may unknowingly lead to the selection of undesirable traits. As traits are often linked, one trait, for example, horn length, may be linked to a trait that makes the animal more susceptible to disease. Breeding programmes that focus on selective breeding can be detrimental to the health of the population as it can further decrease the genetic diversity of the population. It is thus important that genetic testing be applied to the benefit of the population diversity and not to further select specific traits. Genetic testing of a population has been shown to be a great tool to measure the genetic health of a population and of the species. Although several downfalls exist for testing the entire population, the benefits outweigh these risks tenfold. By utilising genetic testing, we can better understand the genetic makeup of the captive populations and the species. It will allow conservationists, farmers and reserve managers to identify individuals with desired traits and work to ensure the maintenance of sound genetic diversity. Properly managing the genetic diversity within populations will ensure the survival and health of the captive populations and will contribute tremendously to the species’ overall health. v REFERENCES Brandt, J., 2016. Conservation and population genetics of African and Asian rhinoceros, Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois. Charlesworth, D. &Willis, J. H., 2009. The genetics of inbreeding depression. Fundamental concepts in genetics, Volume 10, pp. 783-796. Edmands, S., 2007. Between a rock and a hard place: evaluating the relative risks of inbreeding and outbreeding for conservation and management: RELATIVE RISKS OF INBREEDING AND OUTBREEDING. Molecular Ecology , 16(3), pp. 463-475. Emslie, R., 2020. Ceratotherium simum ssp. simum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39317A45814320, IUCN. Guerier, A. S., Bishop, J. M., Crawford, S. J. & Schmidt-Kuntzel, A., 2012. Parentage analysis in a managed free ranging population of southern white rhinoceros: genetic diversity, pedigrees and management. Conservation Genetics , Volume 13, pp. 811-822. Marais, J. 2022. Genealogy and genetic diversity in artificially managed white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) populations. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State. Selous, F.C., 1893. Travel and Adventure in South East Africa, being the narrative of the last eleven years spent by the Author on the Zambesi and its tributaries; with an account of the colonisation of Mashunaland and the progress of the gold industry in that country. London, RowlandWard & Co. Ltd. Figure 3: A biopsy dart can be used as an alternativemethod to conventional anaesthetic darting to obtain tissue samples from rhinos.