Reducing the Extinction Risk of Populations Threatened by Infectious Diseases

Extinction risk is increasing for a range of species due to variety threats, including disease. Emerging infectious diseases can cause severe declines in wild animal populations, population fragmentation and reducing gene flow. Small, isolated, host populations may lose adaptive potential become more susceptible extinction other threats. Management the genetic consequences disease-induced decline often necessary. Whilst disease threats need be addressed, they difficult mitigate. Actions implemented conserve Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), which has suffered deadly facial tumour (DFTD), exemplify how management used reduce threatened by Supplementation an emerging conservation technique that benefit enabling flow conserving their through restoration. Other candidate from via supplementation but concerns regarding outbreeding depression prevent widespread incorporation this into wildlife management. However, existing knowledge identify would where low. For and, situations eradication not option, managers should consider buffer against inbreeding loss diversity.