Researchers from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), a South African nonprofit, and the University of Pretoria embarked on a multi-year journey to rediscover the De Winton’s golden mole.
Employing a sniffer dog and a groundbreaking technique called environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, the team successfully detected the presence of this hidden mammal. The research, which involved peer-reviewed findings, showcases the resilience of a species presumed lost to science.
eDNA Analysis
The use of environmental DNA aka eDNA samples, collected from the traces animals leave behind, played a crucial role in confirming the mole’s existence.
Waiting until 2022 for a De Winton’s DNA sample from decades ago, the researchers meticulously compared the DNA sequences, ultimately confirming a match.
The research team faced numerous challenges in their quest for the golden mole.
The secretive nature of the species, coupled with its ability to leave minimal signs of its presence, made the discovery process more difficult.
