‘Panda of the sea’ fish returns to Hong Kong after DNA gives it away

A recent study has confirmed the presence of the rare Chinese bahaba in Hong Kong’s waters through genetic material extracted from seawater. Nicknamed the ‘Panda of the Sea,’ this critically endangered fish had evaded scientific capture for over ten years. Researchers utilized cutting-edge environmental DNA technology, revealing traces of the fish’s DNA across various western bays, thereby advancing non-invasive methods for marine population monitoring and conservation.