Would you like to know how we monitor & study large carnivores without catching or observing them by using #DNA from their poop, hairs, urine etc.?

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@miljodir @NINAforskning @NINAnature @congenetics @gbike_cost @bearbiology

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The likelihood of running into a large carnivore in #Norway is very low. Fortunately, we do not need to see them or have direct contact to study them. #DNA-technology is a brilliant tool to learn where the animals roam, how many individuals we have, and which ones are related.

Although large carnivores such as #wolves, brown #bears & #wolverines occasionally can be observed & photographed, their elusive nature make them notoriously difficult to detect and thus challenging to study. The use of DNA has revolutionized how we monitor large carnivores today

One of the biggest advantages to monitoring large carnivores with their #DNA is the fact that animals can be identified without being in direct contact with them.

For more than 20 years, the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (SNO) @miljodir and volunteers have contributed to the collection of feces, feathers, and hair from large carnivores and the golden eagle. The samples are submitted to Rovdata to be analyzed with advanced DNA technology.

Researchers have mapped the entire #genome (all the genes) of most large carnivore species. However, a genome contains an enormous amount of information, so not all of it is needed when analyzing a #DNA-sample to monitor large #carnivores.

The results of identification, such as the identification number, are stored in Rovbase, where everyone, including the person who has found the sample, can check the results from "their" sample.
https://rovbase.no/ 

Combined with information on the location (coordinates) and time (date) when the #DNA-sample is been found, we can estimate how many different individuals have been in an area.
https://rovbase.no/filter?Carnivore=2,4&CarnivoreDamage=&Country=1&Evaluation=1,2,3&FromDate=2020-03-23&Observation=11&Offspring=false&ToDate=2021-03-23

The technology behind #DNA is getting better & constantly evolves. It does not solve all challenges we have with #humans and #carnivores sharing the same space. However, these methods provide us with valuable & important information that can increase and improve our knowledge.

For more information check our - *now in English*- #StoryMap describing in detail how a #DNA-test to monitor improves knowledge on large carnivores
https://arcg.is/b55ei 

Follow Rovdata and also @miljodir @NINAforskning @NINAnature to learn more on wolves, wolverines, brown bears, lynx and also golden eagle.

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