Dolphin Poop Reveals Secrets: Scientists Use DNA to Track Welsh Dolphin Population Decline

Cardigan Bay Dolphin Population Decline Prompts Innovative Scientific Study Scientists in Cardigan Bay, Wales, are employing a novel approach to studying bottlenose dolphins: analyzing their feces for DNA. This non-invasive method allows researchers to monitor the population's health, social dynamics, and diet without disturbing the animals. The research is particularly timely given concerns about a potential decline in the dolphin population, one of Europe's largest. "We're collecting poo from the dolphins," explains Sarah Perry of the Welsh Wildlife Trust, "It looks like the insides of a snow globe. We filter it, take it back to the lab, and extract their DNA." The DNA analysis provides crucial insights into individual dolphins, enabling scientists to identify specific animals, track their movements, and determine their relationships. This information is vital for understanding the reasons behind the potential population decline. The study also examines the dolphins' diet to assess the availability of their primary food sources. The research highlights the importance of innovative conservation techniques and the potential of non-invasive methods to gather valuable data for protecting vulnerable wildlife populations. The ongoing study promises to provide crucial information for conservation efforts in Cardigan Bay and beyond.