Govind Tekale
Bhutan launched its first environmental DNA laboratory in April 2025, changing how the small Himalayan nation studies its wildlife. The lab at College of Natural Resources in Lobesa now processes genetic material that animals leave behind in water, soil, and air.
Before this lab opened, Bhutan had to send samples to other countries for testing. This process took months and cost significant money. Scientists also worried about sharing the country’s genetic information abroad.
How Environmental DNA Works
Every animal naturally sheds genetic material through skin cells, hair, waste, and saliva. This DNA floats in rivers, settles in soil, and drifts in air. Scientists collect water or soil samples, then extract this invisible genetic evidence in laboratories.
The process works like fingerprinting for wildlife. Each species has unique genetic markers. When scientists find these markers in samples, they know which animals live in that area without ever seeing them.
Major Wildlife Discoveries
Recent fieldwork in Jigme Dorji National Park produced remarkable findings. Scientists collected samples from Paa Chhu River at elevations above 13,000 feet. The DNA analysis revealed snow leopards and Pallas’s cats living in this remote region.
The woolly flying squirrel also appeared in the results. This species was thought extinct for 70 years until scientists rediscovered it in Pakistan in 1994.
Perhaps most surprising, sambar deer DNA showed up at the highest elevation ever recorded for this species. Leopard cats and possibly tigers also appeared at unusually high altitudes. If confirmed, these would represent some of the highest elevation records for these species.
Proven Success from Earlier Tests
A pilot study in the Mangdechhu river basin demonstrated the technology’s power. Scientists identified 201 different vertebrate species from water samples alone. They confirmed 134 species down to the exact type, creating the most comprehensive wildlife inventory ever completed in that region.
Prof. Loïc Pellissier from ETH Zurich, which helped establish the lab, emphasized the speed advantage. Traditional wildlife surveys require months of camera trap setup and field observation. DNA sampling provides results much faster with less human effort in dangerous terrain.
Arnaud Lyet from WWF described the experience: “Just sitting still for an hour beside a stream, its crystal-clear water flowing through a filter. That’s all it takes for eDNA to reveal biodiversity gems we never imagined.”
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Building Local Expertise
The laboratory represents more than just equipment. ETH Zurich, WWF-Bhutan, Bhutan for Life, and Bhutan Trust Fund supported extensive training for Bhutanese scientists. Local experts now handle the entire process from sample collection to final analysis.
This capacity building means Bhutan no longer depends on foreign laboratories. The country develops its own expertise while maintaining sovereignty over its genetic resources.
Challenges Remain
Reference databases still limit identification accuracy. Many Bhutanese species lack complete genetic profiles in global databases. Scientists cannot identify every DNA sample they find because some animals’ genetic signatures remain unrecorded.
Building comprehensive genetic libraries requires years of specimen collection and sequencing work. International collaboration helps, but Bhutan must prioritize which species receive attention first.
Supporting Traditional Methods
Environmental DNA supplements rather than replaces camera traps and ranger surveys. Each method provides different information. DNA reveals which species live in an area. Camera traps show behavior and count individuals. Rangers observe habitat conditions and human impacts.
Combining these approaches creates more complete wildlife assessments. Scientists use DNA for initial species detection, then deploy cameras for detailed studies of confirmed populations.
Regional Impact
The laboratory positions Bhutan as a regional leader in Himalayan biodiversity research. Neighboring countries face similar monitoring challenges in remote mountain terrain. Bhutan’s success could inspire similar facilities across the Eastern Himalayas.
Standardized protocols and shared databases would strengthen conservation efforts across national borders. Wildlife corridors span multiple countries, requiring coordinated monitoring approaches.
The lab enables continuous monitoring of Bhutan’s remarkable biodiversity. Regular sampling creates baseline data for detecting population changes over time. This information guides conservation decisions and helps protect the country’s natural heritage for future generations.
