Released on: September 16, 2007, 11:51 am

Press Release Author: Dan Leigh

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: US based DNA testing company, DNA Solutions are bidding to
preserve the elephant population in Cambodia through DNA analyzis.

Press Release Body: DNA key in dung deal to save Cambodian elephants
Scientists are to run DNA tests on elephant dung sent from Cambodia to help work out
numbers and monitor wild populations in the formerly war-torn nation. Rangers have
collected almost 600 elephant dung samples from the Cardamom Mountains in the
country\'s south-west, a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. The specimens have
been packed in test tubes and are due to arrive next month in, where they will be
analysed by biologists at U.S. DNA testing company DNA Solutions.

Elephant biologist Joe Heffernan said getting a more accurate picture of population
size would help conservationists work out how many elephants were being poached. Mr
Heffernan, from conservation group Fauna & Flora, which is leading the project, said
it was surprisingly difficult to count elephants in the wild. Despite their size,
they can silently \"disappear\" into forests, and a person can be within metres of one
without even knowing it. \"That\'s just how they\'ve avoided being poached,\" Mr
Heffernan said. \"The ones that are left are probably the sneakiest.\"

The current guesstimate of Asian elephant numbers in the Cardamom Mountains is
between 200 and 500. Because each animal has a unique DNA profile, the scientists
can use genetic testing to work out numbers. The size of the droppings provides
clues about age, while the DNA fingerprinting will reveal details about sex ratios.
Wildlife lovers are particularly worried about the numbers of male elephants because
their tusks are highly sought-after by ivory poachers. Asian elephants can be
distinguished from their African counterparts by their smaller ears. All Asian
elephants, and some African elephants - depending on the country - are considered
endangered.

DNA Solutions hopes to use genetic samples from Asian elephants at local Zoo\'s to
develop a DNA profiling system before the Cambodian samples arrive. The laboratory
will provide its services at cost for the elephant conservation project. \"We do
mainly relationships work,\" director Vern Muir said. \"But paternity testing doesn\'t
give the personal satisfaction that something like this does.\"

www.dnasolutions.com

www.fauna-flora.org


Web Site: http://www.dnasolutions.com

Contact Details: DNA SOLUTIONS
9903 SANTA MONICA
BOULEVARD,
SUITE 101, BEVERLY HILLS
CALIFORNIA 90212
d.leigh@dnasolutions.com
www.dnasolutions.com
T: 877-900-9010