On this photograph taken between 2020- 2021 and launched by Fauna & Flora, elephants roam at Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.
The Flora & Fauna conservation/AP/Fauna & Flora through AP
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The Flora & Fauna conservation/AP/Fauna & Flora through AP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A genetic research of Asian elephants in northern Cambodia revealed Thursday reveals a bigger and extra sturdy inhabitants than beforehand thought, elevating hopes the endangered species might slowly get better.
Researchers from the Fauna & Flora conservation group collected samples from elephant dung in Cambodia’s northern plains and extracted DNA. From the DNA they have been in a position to establish particular person elephants, estimate inhabitants measurement, and decide the intercourse of the animals and the general genetic variety of the inhabitants.
From their work they estimated that there are 51 elephants within the Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries, with larger genetic variety — a “critical factor for long-term viability,” the researchers mentioned — than in two different areas of the nation through which they stay.
“With sufficient suitable habitat remaining in the region, the population has the potential to grow if properly protected,” the report concludes.
On this photograph taken between 2020-2021 and launched by Fauna & Flora, a researcher from the group collects samples from elephant dung at Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.
The Flora & Fauna conservation/AP/Fauna & Flora through AP
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Total, some 400 to 600 Asian elephants are believed to stay dwelling within the wild in Cambodia. Researchers mentioned the research’s findings underscore the potential of the northern space studied to grow to be a “national stronghold” for them, contributing to Cambodia’s biodiversity conservation targets.
“Habitat degradation, especially when it leads to fragmentation, continues to be a serious concern,” Pablo Sinovas, director of Fauna & Flora in Cambodia, informed The Related Press.
“This study provides a robust basis on which to base conservation efforts and landscape management.”
The research, supported by USAID funds and Britain’s Individuals’s Postcode Lottery, was performed in collaboration with the Cambodian Atmosphere Ministry. The genetic testing was accomplished on the Royal College of Phnom Penh with technical assist from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
The analysis was carried out within the 2020-21 dry season, however Sinovas mentioned since elephants reproduce slowly it isn’t thought that the inhabitants measurement would have modified considerably since then.
On this photograph taken between 2020-2021 and launched by Fauna & Flora, elephants are seen at Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.
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The Flora & Fauna conservation/AP/Fauna & Flora through AP
Researchers need to replicate the research elsewhere in Cambodia and in different nations, comparable to neighboring Vietnam the place the Asian elephants stay in fragmented populations.
“We were very pleasantly surprised by the results of the project,” mentioned Alex Ball, conservation supervisor for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
“We now hope to expand this methodology across Cambodia and beyond, helping to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals.”
