Illegal hunting cases detected with molecular forensics in Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundIllegal hunting is one of the major threats to vertebrate populations in tropical regions. This unsustainable practice has serious consequences not only for the target populations, but also for the dynamics and structure of tropical ecosystems. Generally, in cases of suspected illegal hunting, the only evidence available is pieces of meat, skin or bone. In these cases, species identification can only be reliably determined using molecular technologies. Here, we reported an investigative study of three cases of suspected wildlife poaching in which molecular biology techniques were employed to identify the hunted species from remains of meat.FindingsBy applying cytochrome b (cyt-b) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) molecular markers, the suspected illegal poaching was confirmed by the identification of three wild species, capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis) and Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus). In Brazil, hunting is a criminal offense, and based on this evidence, the defendants were found guilty and punished with fines; they may still be sentenced to prison for a period of 6 to 12 months.ConclusionsThe genetic analysis used in this investigative study was suitable to diagnose the species killed and solve these criminal investigations. Molecular forensic techniques can therefore provide an important tool that enables local law enforcement agencies to apprehend illegal poachers.

Forensic Wildlife Parts and their Product Identification and Individualization Using DNA Barcoding

“…Since the variable regions are not subject to functional constraints, they seem to be positoned within the coding regions for transmembrane domains or for the amino and carboxy terminal ends [40]. In one study, identification was not possible with the COI gene since the reference sequence was not availabe in Genbank and BOLD for the investigated species [43]. In some species, therefore, Cyt b is the best represented gene in Genbank which has a higher ability to separate species when compared with COI [44].…”

The Harpy Eagle and the Amazon rainforest in Brazilian federal law - thoughts on environmental law and the conservation of birds of prey and their habitat

“…70 Molecular forensics have been employed in wildlife crime cases. 71 In respect of illegal hunting, capture and trading of animals, transgressors are tracked down inter alia by using the internet, particularly Facebook and YouTube. 72 A very interesting positive aspect of enforcement and compliance, and one that is all too frequently lacking in developing and some developed countries, is the active and positive part played by lawyers in the enforcement of environmental law in Brazil.…”

Aportes de la genética de la conservación al estudio de los mamíferos neotropicales: revisión y análisis crítico

“…El análisis de ADN forense permitió identificar la caza furtiva, el comercio ilegal y el contrabando ilegal de especies amenazadas, entre otros delitos (Iyengar 2014). En lo que respecta a mamíferos neotropicales, se usan distintos marcadores moleculares para identificar carne de guanaco (Lama glama), venado de las pampas (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) y carpincho (H. hydrochaeris) producto de la caza furtiva (Marín et al 2009;Sanches et al 2012). …”