Successful reproduction in wild-released orphan chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes).
We report a case of successful reproduction in wild-released orphan chimpanzees. Using non-invasive genetic analysis, we determined the paternity of an infant born to a female chimpanzee released by HELP (Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates) Congo into the Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo. The sire was a released male, thus demonstrating successful reproduction in both male and female released chimpanzees. These results provide evidence that release into the wild may be a viable response to the plight of orphan chimpanzees in Africa, and we discuss further applications of non-invasive genetic tagging to release programs.
Goossens
Benoît
B
Biodiversity and Ecological Processes Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, PO Box 915, UK. goossensbr@cardiff.ac.uk
Setchell
Joanna M
JM
Vidal
Carmen
C
Dilambaka
Emmanuel
E
Jamart
Aliette
A
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D003223:Congo; D003307:Copulation; D004777:Environment; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*