In the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, where the forest hums with life and danger lurks in the form of wildfires and habitat loss, a team of international researchers has pulled off a scientific feat that could change the future of biodiversity conservation. On October 1, 2025, scientists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, and several partner organizations announced the successful deployment of in situ DNA barcoding—a method that allows for real-time genetic identification of wildlife, right in the field.
The Peruvian Amazon is one of the world’s most ecologically rich regions, but it’s also one of the most threatened. Until now, efforts to monitor and protect its staggering array of species have been held back by a critical problem: nearly half of the region’s birds and mammals were missing from global genetic databases like GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). According to the Scientific Data journal, only about 4.3% of bird genetic data in these repositories actually comes from Peruvian samples. That’s a massive blind spot when you’re trying to keep track of what’s living—and disappearing—in a place teeming with undiscovered species.
Traditional methods of biodiversity assessment, such as environmental DNA sampling, rely on having comprehensive genetic reference data. Without it, conservationists are left in the dark, unable to accurately monitor species populations or respond quickly to ecological crises. As Pamela Sánchez Vendizú, lead author of the new study, put it: “Documenting biodiversity is the first step in understanding how ecological communities form and function, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that are crucial for sustaining an ecological balance and supporting the livelihoods that depend on these environments.”
Faced with this data gap, the research collective turned to technology for a solution. They deployed portable nanopore sequencing devices—essentially, tiny labs that can read DNA right there in the rainforest. With these gadgets, three mobile laboratories were established across the Amazon, enabling scientists to collect, sequence, and analyze genetic material from plants and animals without ever leaving the forest or shipping samples abroad. This approach isn’t just convenient; it’s a game-changer for scientific sovereignty, allowing Peruvian institutions to take charge of their own natural heritage.
Between 2018 and 2023, the team’s efforts paid off in a big way. They generated new genetic barcodes for 1,858 specimens, including—for the first time ever—30 mammal and 196 bird species. These additions boosted mammalian genetic coverage in global databases by an astonishing 110%, and bird coverage by over 36%. For a region where so many species risk disappearing before they’re even identified, this is nothing short of monumental.
“As species disappear, biologists are increasingly called on to take on the role of historians,” said Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, Ph.D., a scientist with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Traditional DNA barcoding pipelines in Peru have relied on collaborations with foreign sequencing partners or services, but our in situ system allows for biodiversity documentation without the export of a single sample. By filling gaps in global genetic libraries, we empower conservationists to generate their own data and make informed decisions to combat species extinction. These technologies equip local scientists with the tools to independently protect their ecosystems.”
The speed and autonomy offered by these portable, long-read sequencing technologies are especially vital in the Amazon. Not only do they allow for rapid data acquisition—crucial when responding to sudden threats like illegal wildlife trafficking or environmental disasters—but they also minimize disruption to local ecosystems. By analyzing DNA samples on-site, researchers can streamline species identification and avoid the delays and risks associated with transporting biological material to distant labs.
The project’s emphasis on local empowerment is more than just a technical upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift. “This initiative enhances the capabilities of Peruvian scientific institutions to manage and utilize their biodiversity resources effectively, setting a precedent for resource-limited and biodiversity-rich countries worldwide,” said César Arana, Ph.D., lead natural historian of the San Marcos Natural History Museum. By training local scientists and keeping data processing within Peru, the model fosters sustainable conservation leadership and ensures that those most connected to the land are the ones making the key decisions.
The impact of this work doesn’t stop at Peru’s borders. The methodology—field-based, real-time DNA barcoding using portable sequencers—offers a scalable blueprint for other biodiversity hotspots around the globe. Whether in the rainforests of Southeast Asia or the savannas of Africa, regions struggling with similar data gaps and resource constraints could adopt this approach to strengthen their own conservation efforts.
Partnering institutions like the Amazon Conservation Association, Conservación Amazónica-ACCA, Field Projects International, and the Inkaterra Association all played vital roles in this collaborative effort. Their combined expertise in genomics, ecology, and field logistics helped drive a project that, according to the Scientific Data journal, “offers a roadmap to saving some of the world’s most beloved ecosystems before it’s too late.”
For those interested in seeing the technology in action, Field Projects International has released a video showcasing the Los Amigos Laboratory—one of the three field labs at the center of this breakthrough. The images, provided by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, capture both the rugged beauty of the Amazon and the determination of the scientists working to protect it.
It’s worth noting that the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, has a long track record of innovative science and global partnerships. Through efforts like this, they’ve helped reintroduce more than 44 endangered species to native habitats, reaching over a billion people annually with their conservation message.
As the threats to the Amazon and other wild places continue to mount, the need for precise, rapid, and locally-driven biodiversity monitoring has never been more urgent. The fusion of cutting-edge genomics with community-led research represents a hopeful path forward, one where data democratization and technological innovation go hand in hand with conservation.
By decoding the Peruvian Amazon’s biological complexity through in situ DNA barcoding, this team of scientists has not only filled critical gaps in our understanding of the region’s wildlife—they’ve also shown the world a new way to fight back against biodiversity loss. Their work is a testament to what’s possible when science, technology, and local stewardship come together, offering a beacon of hope for some of the planet’s most vital and vulnerable ecosystems.
