The study could help unlock genetic secrets of the world’s endangered whale populations.
Scientists at West Vancouver’s Pacific Science Enterprise Centre have devised a novel way of studying the Salish Sea’s endangered southern resident killer whales: looking for specks of their DNA left floating in their wakes.
“That’s the most exciting application. I see this going beyond killer whales and beyond our coast to whales all around the world,” said Chloe Robinson, director of the whales initiative at Ocean Wise. “It’s really important for conservation and understanding how and if these species have a future.” “Does this look like there’s enough DNA in the gene pool of this population to progress further and to continue to multiply?” Robinson said. “We can better understand the health of populations based on how much genetic diversity there is, and what the male versus female ratios are. Is there enough of both to keep that population going?”
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