There has been concern about the genetic effects of the reduction in the number of big tuskers (male Asian elephants with tusks). The danger arises when the big tuskers are eliminated, and poachers find it worthwhile to kill young males for their small tusks. When tuskers are killed, the number of males in a population decreases, resulting in skewed male-to-female ratios. This may lead to inbreeding, and eventually to high juvenile mortality as well as low breeding success. Removing large tuskers also reduces the probability that these longer-ranging loners will mate and exchange genes with females of different sub-populations. Over time, there could be a loss of genetic diversity if there are no counteracting factors.

Read More: Threats, Illegal Hunting and Trade, Capture of Wild Elephants