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 … Continue reading Bhutan’s First eDNA Lab Finds 201 Species and Rediscovers ‘Extinct’ Woolly Flying Squirrel at 13,000 Feet