Imagine tracking endangered species using just a bottle of water! 🌍 Scientists in China are doing exactly that to protect the Yangtze finless porpoise—a rare freshwater cetacean known for its cheeky 'smile.'
At East Dongting Lake in Hunan Province, Li Benchao and his team collect water samples to analyze environmental DNA (eDNA). This cutting-edge method detects genetic traces left by aquatic life, from fish to porpoises, without needing invasive surveys. 🧬✨
\"Traditional tracking required hours on boats, counting animals manually,\" Li explained. \"Now, eDNA helps us monitor even low-density populations accurately—like nature's own TikTok tracker!\"
The tech could revolutionize conservation efforts for the critically endangered porpoises, whose numbers have dwindled due to pollution and habitat loss. Local authorities plan to expand eDNA use across the Yangtze River basin.
Who knew saving species could start with a water sample? 💧🔍
