scholarly journals Forensic Analysis in Wildlife Crime Cases: Microscopy, DNA Profiling and Isotope Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Sahajpal ◽  
Sudhanshu Mishra ◽  
Deepika Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Origin ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Forensic Analysis ◽  
Dna Profiling ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Wildlife Crime ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Wildlife Forensics

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to the environment and biodiversity. The growing volume of illegal trade in wildlife jeopardizes all the conservation efforts across the globe. Many species have become extinct due to the illegal wildlife trade and many have reached the verge of extinction. According to some estimates, the monetary values of the illegal wildlife trade are estimated to be several billion US dollars. To deal with wildlife crime cases, it becomes imperative to have a sound knowledge of the techniques required in the analysis of wildlife crime exhibits. In this chapter, we have outlined the three frequently used techniques in wildlife forensics viz. microscopy, DNA and isotope analysis for addressing the problems of species and individual identification, and additionally identification of the geographical origin of a wildlife sample. The basic essentials of these techniques have been discussed in this chapter.

Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith, 1821) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in illegal wildlife trade in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 17229-17234
Author(s):  
Yadav Ghimirey ◽  
Raju Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Clouded Leopard ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Neofelis Nebulosa

We document trade of the Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Nepal based on pelt seizure reports published in wildlife trade reports and in newspapers.  Just 27 cases in three decades seem little to suggest targeted illegal trade of the species, the seizure information in recent years indicate that illegal trade of Clouded Leopard body parts is still taking place.  Hence an in-depth assessment is necessary to understand properly the intensity and magnitude of illegal trade on Clouded Leopard in the country.

Using online media-sourced seizure data to assess the illegal wildlife trade in Siamese rosewood

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
PENTHAI SIRIWAT ◽  
VINCENT NIJMAN
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Timber Species ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
The North ◽  
International Pressure ◽  
Domestic Legislation ◽  
Key Factor

SUMMARYThe illegal wildlife trade is covert by nature, and thus is often challenging to study. Seizure data is traditionally the most common means to gain insight into the trade for many species. Online media-sourced seizure records were applied to study the illegal trade of Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), one of 33 timber species of hongmu (rosewood), which is logged to produce luxury products predominantly for Chinese markets. Despite recent international pressure to strengthen the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulations, illegal trade of Siamese rosewood is prevalent in its range states. This paper will explore seizure reports in Thai online media and analyse spatial, temporal and other factors that potentially explain the trade. Between January 2014 and April 2016, 835 independent seizures were reported in 37 of 76 provinces in Thailand. Seizures occurred mostly in the north-eastern and eastern provinces with higher numbers of seizures closer to the border. The number of seizure reports decreased over time, and the average number of logs seized per seizure was consistent over the 28-month study period. Inadequate domestic legislation is a key factor facilitating the trade. Improvements are needed to the legislation and enforcement ahead of implementing other regional timber-specific initiatives and regulations. In this specific context, CITES also appears to be unacknowledged and ineffective in hampering the Siamese rosewood trade. Importantly, we find that using media-sourced seizure data is highly apt in Thailand's context, considering Thailand's sensitive political state and the prevalence of trade in other non CITES-listed rosewood species. The approach demonstrated here is applicable to many other wildlife species.

scholarly journals Use of DNA Barcoding to Control the Illegal Wildlife Trade: A CITES Case Report from Pakistan

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attika Rehman ◽  
Sana Jafar ◽  
Naeem Ashraf Raja ◽  
Javed Mahar
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Fish Meat ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Wildlife Species

Illegal wildlife trade is a great threat to the conservation efforts made worldwide to save wildlife species and their parts. Use of molecular methods, including DNA barcoding, is gaining acceptance to detect cross-border movement of endangered species. Here we report the utility of DNA barcoding in the detection of smuggling of an endangered turtle species from Pakistan. The consignment labeled as “fish meat” was intercepted at a Pakistani port and was tested for its source using DNA Barcoding with fish-specific primers. Sequences from the samples from this consignment matched (99%) with those from Lissemys punctata (Indian flap-shelled turtle), a species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This report highlights the problem of smuggling protected species under false pretenses and the importance of DNA barcoding in stopping such illegal trade.

scholarly journals The Dissemination of Relevant Information on Wildlife Utilization and Its Connection With Illegal Trade

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifan Song ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Zhen Miao ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Xuehong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Wildlife Protection ◽  
Misleading Information ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Wildlife Utilization

Abstract Taking African elephant (Loxodonta africana), tiger (Panthera tigris) and totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), whose populations are more threatened by illegal trade, as examples, this study aims to analyze the generation and dissemination mechanism of relevant information on wildlife utilization, and explore their association with illegal wildlife trade. We compared illegal wildlife trade with related information in order to find potential associations, searched for relevant information on major international websites to summarize similarities of related information production and dissemination, and used “Zhiwei” dissemination analysis platform to analyze the dissemination of information circulated at Microblog. The results show that the most influential information related to the use of wildlife is mainly generated from news media websites and new self-media platforms, mainly from non-governmental organizations concerned with wildlife protection. The main factors that affect the depth and breadth of disseminating relevant information on wildlife utilization include participation of relatively influential opinion leaders, the verification ratio of forwarding users, the number of fans, and affective commitment. Misleading information can stimulate and promote poaching and smuggling of wildlife, regardless of the real market demand for them or their products. Therefore, we should carefully examine all links in the course of information dissemination to purify the information environment and reduce the adverse effects of misleading information on wildlife protection.

scholarly journals Taking a stand against illegal wildlife trade: the Zimbabwean approach to pangolin conservation

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris R. Shepherd ◽  
Ellen Connelly ◽  
Lisa Hywood ◽  
Phillip Cassey
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade

AbstractPangolins are increasingly threatened by demand for their scales, which are used in traditional medicines, and for their meat, which is consumed as a luxury. As populations of Asian pangolins decline, the demand is shifting to the four species in Africa, where local cultural use may already pose some level of threat. During 2010−2015 a total of 65 pangolin-related seizures (surrendered and confiscated) were reported in Zimbabwe, with the annual number of confiscations increasing significantly over this period. Zimbabwean authorities have toughened their stance against this trade, and during January−June 2015 three-quarters of confiscations of pangolins (n = 12) resulted in the maximum jail sentence for at least one of the offenders in each case. At present there is no evidence that pangolins are being traded from Zimbabwe to China, and the increased enforcement may be key to ensuring Zimbabwe's pangolins are not threatened by the large-scale illegal trade witnessed in Asia.

scholarly journals Illegal Wildlife Trade and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Pervasive Impacts to Species, Ecosystems and Human Health

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1821
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Rush ◽  
Erin Dale ◽  
A. Alonso Aguirre
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Zoonotic Potential ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Pathogen Testing ◽  
Influenza H1n1

Emerging infectious disease (EID) events can be traced to anthropogenic factors, including the movement of wildlife through legal and illegal trade. This paper focuses on the link between illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and infectious disease pathogens. A literature review through Web of Science and relevant conference proceedings from 1990 to 2020 resulted in documenting 82 papers and 240 identified pathogen cases. Over 60% of the findings referred to pathogens with known zoonotic potential and five cases directly referenced zoonotic spillover events. The diversity of pathogens by taxa included 44 different pathogens in birds, 47 in mammals, 16 in reptiles, two in amphibians, two in fish, and one in invertebrates. This is the highest diversity of pathogen types in reported literature related to IWT. However, it is likely not a fully representative sample due to needed augmentation of surveillance and monitoring of IWT and more frequent pathogen testing on recovered shipments. The emergence of infectious disease through human globalization has resulted in several pandemics in the last decade including SARS, MERS, avian influenza H1N1,and Ebola. We detailed the growing body of literature on this topic since 2008 and highlight the need to detect, document, and prevent spillovers from high-risk human activities, such as IWT.

scholarly journals Quantitative methods of identifying the key nodes in the illegal wildlife trade network

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (26) ◽  
pp. 7948-7953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikkita Gunvant Patel ◽  
Chris Rorres ◽  
Damien O. Joly ◽  
John S. Brownstein ◽  
Ray Boston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Trade Network ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Trade Interventions ◽  
Key Nodes

Innovative approaches are needed to combat the illegal trade in wildlife. Here, we used network analysis and a new database, HealthMap Wildlife Trade, to identify the key nodes (countries) that support the illegal wildlife trade. We identified key exporters and importers from the number of shipments a country sent and received and from the number of connections a country had to other countries over a given time period. We used flow betweenness centrality measurements to identify key intermediary countries. We found the set of nodes whose removal from the network would cause the maximum disruption to the network. Selecting six nodes would fragment 89.5% of the network for elephants, 92.3% for rhinoceros, and 98.1% for tigers. We then found sets of nodes that would best disseminate an educational message via direct connections through the network. We would need to select 18 nodes to reach 100% of the elephant trade network, 16 nodes for rhinoceros, and 10 for tigers. Although the choice of locations for interventions should be customized for the animal and the goal of the intervention, China was the most frequently selected country for network fragmentation and information dissemination. Identification of key countries will help strategize illegal wildlife trade interventions.

scholarly journals How to control illegal wildlife trade in the Himalayas

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Ramesh P Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Academic Publications

Review of Cites Implementation in Nepal and India – Law, Policy and Practice by Ravi Sharma Aryal Bhrikuti Academic Publications, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004 200 pp, ISBN 99933-673-4-6 NRs 995, US$ 25 (paperback) The international illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is one the major engines driving species to extinction. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which defines standards for use of wildlife and their products, represents a major global commitment to reverse this trend. It remains to be seen whether the terms of this treaty will be enforced. Focusing on Nepal and its neighbors, Aryal discusses the obstacles to its successful implementation: imprecise legislation, inconsistent policies, lack of coordination among relevant institutions (particularly, those responsible for regulating international trade), and the deadly threat posed by poachers determined to protect their endangered livelihoods. Aryal’s recommendations are detailed, far-reaching, and compelling. Himalayan Journal of Sciences 2(3): 15-16, 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Himalayan Journal of Sciences website

scholarly journals Horn trophy seized in illegal wildlife trade assigned to swamp buffalo using a combined morphometric and DNA based approach in wildlife forensics in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipin ◽  
Vinita Sharma ◽  
Chandra Prakash Sharma ◽  
Surendra Prakash Goyal ◽  
Sandeep Kumar Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
Wildlife Forensics ◽  
Swamp Buffaloes ◽  
The World ◽  
D Loop

AbstractThe illegal wildlife trade has threatened the existence of many extant wild animal species throughout the world. While dealing with the illegal wildlife trade of horns, we face problems of not having a proper protocol and lack of reference database to assign the species for proper implementation of wildlife laws. In one such condition, a horn trophy suspected to be of a wild buffalo was seized by authorities and sent to us for species identification. We used a combined approach of morphological and DNA analysis to ascertain the seized horn’s species. The two measurements, circumference at the base (CAB) and length on the front curve (LOFC) were measured for the seized and other horns of different bovid species, showing morphological resemblance with the seized horn. The 3-D scatter plot, generated by the values of CAB, LOFC and CAB/ LOFC, differentiated the different bovid species into distinct clusters and placed the seized horn in the proximity of domestic buffaloes. The Bayesian evolutionary analysis of the partial D-loop gene (521bp) placed the seized horn in a clade with swamp buffaloes. Since swamp buffaloes are domestic buffaloes, both these approaches concluded the same results. Hence, the current protocol developed may also be used to differentiate among wild buffalo, domestic buffalo, Cattle, Wild yak, Gaur and Takin using a combined approach of morphometric and DNA-based analysis, which may be used to deal with illegal wildlife trade of different bovid species at the world level.

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