Combating the Illegal Trade in African Elephant Ivory with DNA Forensics

Wasser, Samuel K.; Clark, William; Drori, Ofir; Kisamo, Emily; Mailand, Celia; Mutayoba, Benezeth; Stephens, Matthew

doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01012.x

Cited by 137 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The probability of belonging, or not belonging, can be computed. Individual genetic assignment has been implemented in a range of management applications, for example, illegal animal translocations (Frantz et al 2006), illegal trade (Wasser et al 2008) and fraud (Primmer et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic identification of fish farm escapees: the Norwegian experience

Glover¹

2010

Aquaccult. Environ. Interact.

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Aquaculture management authorities require the ability to identify the farm of origin for escaped fish. Physical tagging is routinely conducted for domesticated animals (e.g. sheep and cattle); however, there are considerable logistical, animal welfare and economic issues that challenge the feasibility of physically tagging all farmed fish. A 'DNA stand-by method' for identification of escaped Atlantic salmon, back to the cage and farm of origin, was established at the Institute of Marine Research in Norway. In addition, proof-of-concept for the method has been demonstrated to be able to trace rainbow trout and Atlantic cod escapees back to their farm source. The combined sampling, genotyping and statistical analysis on which the method is based has been implemented successfully in the identification of fish farm escapees in Norway, resulting in fines for companies found in breach of regulations. This paper reviews the method, its challenges, and some previously considered alternatives. It is concluded that as the method has been successful for the 3 major species farmed in Norway, each with contrasting production logistics including breeding programs, state of domestication, and magnitude of production, the DNA stand-by method can be applicable to identification of fish farm escapees for a wide range of aquaculture species in all regions of the world.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic identification of fish farm escapees: the Norwegian experience

Glover¹

2010

Aquaccult. Environ. Interact.

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“…Illegal wildlife trafficking is an extremely lucrative crime with serious consequences yet relatively low penalties and few prosecutions [3]. Besides all the complicating factors inherent to the trafficking, the researchers of this subject are facing yet the lack of organized and systematized data and information [2].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Efforts to Combat Wild Animals Trafficking in Brazil

Déstro¹,

Pimentel²,

Sabaini³

et al. 2012

Biodiversity Enrichment in a Diverse World

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“…A quality of genomic DNA obtained from tusk samples was sufficient for amplification of mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA fragments (Comstock, Ostrander, & Wasser, 2003;Wasser et al, 2008). A reference database of mitochondrial haplotype and microsatellite diversity of the known geographic origin of 399 elephant samples has been constructed (Wasser et al, 2004).…”

Section: Tracking Illegal Hunting and Ivory Tradementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A reference database of mitochondrial haplotype and microsatellite diversity of the known geographic origin of 399 elephant samples has been constructed (Wasser et al, 2004). Ivory seized during shipment has been species identified and assigned for their origins (Wasser et al, 2007;Wasser et al, 2008).…”

Section: Tracking Illegal Hunting and Ivory Tradementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Tools for the Conservation of Wild Asian Elephants

Kongrit

2017

IJB

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The distribution of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has been limited to the remaining discontinuous forests, mainly in the South and Southeast Asia. A global number of wild Asian elephants have been declining due to habitat loss, forest fragmentation, and anthropogenic disturbance. Acquiring information of wild populations is important for effective conservation and management plan. This article reviews the applications of noninvasive genetic method as a tool for studying wild Asian elephants. Noninvasive genetic method has been introduced to the field of wildlife conservation for more than two decades. The method provides reliable information of a population and facilitates investigation of genetic effects on small and fragmented populations. Various DNA markers for the Asian elephant, those include mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite DNA, and sex determination markers, have been developed and used to study wild elephant populations across the distribution range. Most of the studies revealed the issues of low genetic diversity in the small populations and interruption of gene flow among the fragmented populations. Tracking of ivory poaching has not yet been done in the Asian elephant. It could be carried out if a reference genetic database of the natural populations is available. Noninvasive genetic method has been proved to be a promising tool for conservation of the wild Asian elephants. Transboundary collaboration would give hope for a successful long-term conservation of this charismatic species in their natural habitats.

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Combating the Illegal Trade in African Elephant Ivory with DNA Forensics

Cited by 137 publications

References 8 publications

Forensic identification of fish farm escapees: the Norwegian experience

Forensic identification of fish farm escapees: the Norwegian experience

Efforts to Combat Wild Animals Trafficking in Brazil

Genetic Tools for the Conservation of Wild Asian Elephants

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