Rwanda Uses eDNA Technology to Transform Biodiversity Monitoring

In Volcanoes National Park, scientists are using environmental DNA, or eDNA, to detect mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other species without relying only on direct sightings.

A quieter way to map wildlife

The approach reads genetic traces left in soil and water, including fur, saliva and faeces. The African Wildlife Foundation is introducing the method with the Rwandan government and conservation groups. Their aim is a broader inventory of species across Rwanda.

That matters in Volcanoes National Park, where thick vegetation and rugged terrain make traditional surveys slow and incomplete. Rangers, field observations and camera traps remain important. However, eDNA adds another layer of coverage. Patrick Nsabimana, Rwanda country manager for the African Wildlife Foundation, said ecological monitoring is central to habitat conservation. He said eDNA was chosen to complement existing methods.

The technology also offers scale. Scientists say a single sample from rivers, ponds or wetlands can identify several species at once. Deogratias Tuyisingize of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund said one kit can assess amphibians, mammals and birds. That efficiency is valuable in a country where data collection across remote habitats is costly and labour-intensive.

Data infrastructure meets conservation finance

For development partners, the project is about more than wildlife. It points to rising demand for biodiversity data systems, laboratory capability and scientific partnerships that can be expanded across East Africa. The model also supports better planning for protected areas, especially where climate pressure and human activity are reshaping habitats.

The pilot still has limits. James Munyawera of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund said eDNA shows presence, but not abundance. He also said it does not pinpoint exact location. DNA traces can travel in water, or remain after animals move on. That means eDNA works best as a complement, not a replacement, for other monitoring tools.

The project also highlights a structural gap in African biodiversity science. Researchers say the region still lacks enough genetic reference databases to identify species accurately from samples. In response, teams in Rwanda are building regional databases and training park rangers and local communities to collect samples.

That creates a clearer investment case. Demand is emerging for low-disturbance field tools, lab services and data platforms that can support conservation at scale. As Rwanda’s pilot develops, investors and donors will be watching whether eDNA can move from a park-level test to a regional standard for biodiversity monitoring and conservation finance.

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