According to the Environmental News Agency Zistaavaa WWF scientists have made an extraordinary discovery in Bhutan’s Eastern Himalayas — snow leopards and Pallas’s cats detected for the first time through river-based environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling.

While trekking above 14,000 feet near Mt. Jomolhari, the research team collected water samples from the Paa Chhu River. What they found was remarkable: traces of 19 mammal species, including snow leopards, Sambar deer, and even a probable tiger at one of the highest elevations ever recorded.

This pioneering study demonstrates the power of eDNA — a non-invasive technique that identifies species through microscopic traces they leave behind in the environment. The discovery opens new possibilities for monitoring rare and elusive wildlife in remote and rugged landscapes.

Bhutan’s first eDNA laboratory, established with support from ETH Zurich and hosted by the College of Natural Resources, now enables scientists to expand biodiversity research and conservation across the Himalayas.

Rivers, it seems, don’t just carry water — they carry life, stories, and hope. 🌿