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Australia has a crocodile problem . In the last two decade , attacks have get up sharply after the population explode . Along with safety electronic messaging , government officials are increase the number of permitted crocodile kills , but expert saythe move is n’t potential to work founder how mobile crocodile are — kill one , and another will immediately move into its territory .
But a new , stealthy way of preventing flak may be on the visible horizon . The tool affect using the genetic fingerprint of crocodiles to describe area where these predators are present . By harnessing environmental DNA ( eDNA ) , wildlife official could examine watercourse and warn swimmers , boaters and campers to avoid orbit where crocodiles are , or have recently been .
Australian researchers believe environmental DNA may be the key to stopping crocodile attacks before they happen.
The croc problem is part the consequence of one of preservation ’s great success story . In the early 20th century , thanks to overhunting , the Australiancrocodilepopulation plummeted to around 3,000 . After protection were preface in the seventies , the population surged , and now an judge 100,000 live in watercourse across the country .
Because of this salary increase , both crocodile attack and retaliatory attack by humans are increasing . In the latest incident , on Aug. 3 , 40 - year - one-time David Hogbin fell into the Annan River in Queensland and was pop by a 16 - foot - recollective ( 5 meters ) saltwater crocodile ( genus Crocodylus porosus),which was later killedby wildlife officials . And in 2023 , a 13 - metrical foot ( 4 m)crocodile was observe beheadedon a beach . A few month by and by , a40 - class - old female croc was also find dead , having been butchered with just her headway and spine remaining .
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Crocodiles can sit completely still underwater for up to eight hours, making it difficult to avoid attacks.
One reason it ’s grueling for multitude to avoid croc approach is that they are some of the world ’s ultimate ambush predators . They can sit down wholly stillunderwater for up to eight hours , await for unsuspecting fair game to pass by before they strike . From the aerofoil , the water may seem croc - free , but people should " take over crocodile are present in all waterway , " according to advice from the Northern Territory Government .
So researchers are develop tests that will show where crocodiles are — without ever needing to see them .
" Environmental DNA ( eDNA ) relies on find trace amounts of DNA that all living organism leave behind … things like hair’s-breadth , skin cells , feces or urine,“Elise Furlan , a molecular ecologist with the University of Canberra ( UC ) who figure out on the program , told Live Science in an email .
To quiz for eDNA , the team collect water samples and filters them . The scientist then excerpt any noticeable DNA in the science lab , amplify it and searching for grounds of croc DNA , Furlan say .
To check the mental test ’s accuracy , the squad search for eDNA in water from crocodile - holding ponds at a Queensland Department of Environment , Science and Innovation ( DESI ) facility and compared the results with those from water that never housed crocodiles . After the crocodile were removed from the pool , they tested the urine to base how rapidly the desoxyribonucleic acid degrades , according toa statement from the DESI . This should reveal how long a crocodile call for to be in a body of water for it to be pick up by the tests , and how long after it has leave the area its ghost remain .
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The program is in its former stages . justly now , sample distribution need to be analyzed in the science lab , but the investigator hope that as the work progress , they can develop a spot - exam to detect crocodiles in veridical clip , Furlan enounce . The tests are not 100 % accurate and there ’s a hazard of false damaging detection , but it ’s still likely to be good than traditional detection method , Furlan tell ..
The hope is eDNA tests could be used in conjunction with other onset - prevention tool , such as public safety messaging .
In future oeuvre , the team plans to sample rivers and other pee bodies in Queensland where crocodiles are present to establish the test are in effect in actual - existence environs .
" This research absolutely has the electric potential to have a very virtual program , " Furlan said .
