how do conservationists get enough genetic diversity to save a species from extinction with single or low population mating pairs?

Question

As the title states, how is the population diverse enough for long term survival? We’ve been watching a lot of Extinct or Alive on animal planet and they make it seem like they can “save a species” with a single mating pair.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Some species have a lot more genetic diversity, so the number of individuals necessary is lower.

Inbreeding does not *guarantee* issues, it increases the chances. For example, if both parents are carriers of a recessive gene for the disease, 3/4 of the offspring will be unaffiliated.