If you do your homework on the group used in this study, I am sure that you will find human interference. Even the Cheetah here in Africa is quite inbred, probably due to declining numbers - but Nature abhors a vacuum so does the best she can. Wolves and inbreeding: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061221074654.htm http://lsweb.la.asu.edu/phedrick/wolfbodysize.pdf http://www.montana.edu/kalinowski/KalinowskiReprints/1999_Wolf_inbreeding_ConservationBiology.pdf http://skandulv.nina.no/skandulv%20new/Publikasjoner/English%20pdf%20files/Bensch%20et%20al%20PLoS%20ONE%202006.pdf An explanation of inbreeding and how it works: http://www.netherworld.com/~cowboy/WatmoughChapter10.htm I found these opinions particularly interesting, coming from a farming background myself (cattle). Lastly, a link to a Beagle site which also explains inbreeding and the effects thereof: http://www.beaglesunlimited.net/2001jul-aug/inbreeding.htm We are too prone to comparing animals and their breeding practises to our own. If we were entirely honest, there would be many humans who, if living a wild existance and depending on their strength, speed and intelligence for survival, would not be considered as fit mates. As a result, our 'civilized' ways have led to the breeding of individuals who would not be able to survive life on Earth without the trappings of civilization. IMO it has also led to overpopulation as the truly stupid have no idea when to stop producing carbon copies of themselves.