The koala – a cultural icon Down Under – is in serious decline, suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, wildfires, and a chlamydia epidemic. A new technique that could revolutionize koala research. It’s based on the realization that koalas have the equivalent of human fingerprints – on their noses.
Until now, researchers have tracked koalas in the wild using radio or GPS collars, an intrusive method that involves capturing and releasing animals.
But [researcher Janine] Duffy has pioneered a technique that could revolutionize koala research, recognizing for the first time that koalas have the equivalent of human fingerprints — on their noses.
The revelation that each koala’s nose pigmentation is unique was a light bulb moment for Duffy.
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