Robust forensic matching of confiscated horns to individual poached African rhinoceros

Abstract

Black and white rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis and Ceratotherium simum) are iconic African species that are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered and Near Threatened (http://www.iucnredlist.org/), respectively [1]. At the end of the 19 century, Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) numbers had declined to fewer than 50 animals in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi region of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa, mainly due to uncontrolled hunting [2,3]. Efforts by the Natal Parks Board facilitated an increase in population to over 20,000 in 2015 through aggressive conservation management [2]. Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) populations declined from several hundred thousand in the early 19 century to ∼65,000 in 1970 and to ∼2,400 by 1995 [1] with subsequent genetic reduction, also due to hunting, land clearances and later poaching [4]. In South Africa, rhinoceros poaching incidents have increased from 13 in 2007 to 1,215 in 2014 [1]. This has occurred despite strict trade bans on rhinoceros products and strict enforcement in recent years.

A rapid multiplex PCR assay for presumptive species identification of rhinoceros horns and its implementation in Vietnam

“…DNA-based individualization of seized horns (or horn derivatives) from two of the species is well established using the rhino DNA indexing system (RhODIS) [ 8 , 9 ]. RhODIS, a South African (University of Pretoria) based system, is a database containing black and white rhino microsatellite genotypes, designed to capture data from live animals, poached animals and seized items which may aid prosecutions and provide valuable intelligence in regards to tracking horn trade networks globally (for example, linking a seized horn to the individual carcass from which it was poached) [ 9 ]. However, for seizures that occur outside South Africa, there are animal health requirements that must be considered before samples can be sent to the University of Pretoria for testing [ 10 ].…”

A Beautiful Life: High Risk–High Payoff in Genetic Science

“…She optimized a group of 23 short tandem repeat DNA markers specific for rhinos to assess species, gender, and individual identification of confiscated specimens. Cindy's team developed an extensive database of rhinoceros DNA profiles and demographic information named RhODIS ® (Rhino DNA Index System), modeled after CODIS, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal DNA database (135,136).…”

“…These data include more than 5,800 forensic case samples for which links were made between recovered horns, blood-stained evidence items, and specific rhinoceros carcasses in >120 cases. In the most recent cases, this forensic genetic individualization allowed heavy punishments upon conviction, establishing international legal precedents for prosecuting and convicting smugglers of rhino horns suitable for trafficking in other endangered species (136).…”

Whole genome survey of big cats (Genus:Panthera) identifies novel microsatellites of utility in conservation genetic study

“…Incremental adoption of genetic tools and techniques for wildlife conservation and management have been observed globally in the past 25 years mainly due to the development of the robust protocols for DNA extraction and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) [29][30][31][32] . DNA tools are now increasingly employed for establishing species-level identity 33,34 , resolving taxonomic ambiguities 6,35,36 , wildlife conflict mitigation 37,38 , and more recently, establishing the source of origin [39][40][41] . Microsatellites or short tandem repeats (STR) are neutral, codominantly inherited, widely distributed, hypervariable, short repetitive nuclear DNA units that have been regarded as the best candidate to develop a genetic signature of the individual (DNA fingerprint), population, and subspecies.…”

“…Microsatellites or short tandem repeats (STR) are neutral, codominantly inherited, widely distributed, hypervariable, short repetitive nuclear DNA units that have been regarded as the best candidate to develop a genetic signature of the individual (DNA fingerprint), population, and subspecies. Multiplex STR systems to undertake geographic assignments of confiscations have been proposed for tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos and many other endangered species 39, [41][42][43][44][45] . However, except for rhinos and elephants, microsatellite-based applications have failed to achieve global consensus in wildlife offense investigation.…”