Researchers in Laos use elephant dung DNA to protect the declining Asian elephant population.

Researchers in Laos are using DNA from elephant dung to track and protect the declining Asian elephant population, which has fallen to between 500 and 1,000 from around 1,500 two decades ago. The elephants face threats from habitat loss, logging, poaching, and limited breeding. The DNA analysis helps identify individuals, track movements, and understand family relationships, aiding in the development of breeding plans to ensure genetic diversity and species survival.

November 30, 2024
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