1 Tahrcountry Musings: Cambodia – DNA Tests on Elephant Dungs To Determine Elephant Numbers

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Cambodia – DNA Tests on Elephant Dungs To Determine Elephant Numbers

600 elephant dung samples collected from Cambodia will be sent to Australia to determine the actual numbers of elephants. They will be analyzed at the Wantirna laboratory DNA Solutions in Melbourne. Mr Heffernan, from conservation group Fauna & Flora, is leading the project. Because each animal has a unique DNA profile, the scientists can use genetic testing to work out numbers. The size of the droppings provides clues about age, while the DNA fingerprinting will reveal details about sex ratios. The current estimate of elephants in Cambodia is only a guesstimate.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a really good way to get accurate figures. There is no room for any ambiguity here.

Anonymous said...

This is scientific way to approach census and it is very tranparent