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Lecturer trying to ensure tamaraw never dies
A UNIVERSITY lecturer from Scarborough is pioneering a project using DNA technology to help conserve one of the world's rarest types of buffalo.
The tamaraw is a dwarf buffalo which exists exclusively on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines – it is estimated that there are just 500 adults left in the world.
The animal's population is in decline due to hunting and changes in habitat and it is feared the tamaraw will be extinct within 50 years.
Dr Phil Wheeler, a lecturer at the Centre for Environ- mental and Marine Sciences at the University's Scarbor- ough Campus, and Dr Bill Hutchinson, a lecturer in molecular ecology in the Biology Department in Hull, have developed a keen interest in large mammal conservation.
Dr Wheeler said: "The tamaraw is an extremely rare species and one of South-East Asia's least studied mammals. We refer to them as dwarf buffaloes, but they are actually 1.5 metres tall and weigh a third of a tonne.
"Through spending time here and gaining local knowledge about Mindoro's flagship species we hope to be able to shed light on the life, habitat and remaining numbers of this rarely seen animal."
The lecturers are working in collaboration with the Far Eastern University in Manila and Philippines Governmental departments.
Tamaraws are elusive forest beasts and the island's hilly terrain and lack of facilities make it difficult to examine them close-up.
So the team plan to use genetic data which enables them to identify individuals and look at how family groups are related and move around the reserve.
Dr Hutchinson, who is supervising the genetic analysis, said: "Trace quantities of DNA are extracted from the droppings using our ancient DNA facilities.
"The DNA fingerprints we obtain can be used to estimate the size of the population, breeding and social behaviour, and habitat usage within the reserve.
"This allows us to produce a better prediction of how the population is doing and where money and effort should be spent in the ongoing conservation programme."
Dr Wheeler added: "We call it CSI for wildlife. We can now start to study rare and elusive species like the tamaraw, thanks to the advancement of 21st century science.
"The locals are immensely proud of their dwarf buffalo; Far Eastern University call their sports team 'the Tamaraws'.
"Our aim is for the research to lead to a coherent conservation programme for the tamaraw and help the people of Mindoro to keep this wonderful species alive."
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
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