DNA Testing Used for First Time on Elephant Ivory

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

Here is the latest on IFAW's elephant campaign and the ivory trade. We have a

team on the ground in Bangkok, Thailand for the CITES (Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species) meeting so we will be sending updates

over the next couple of weeks. The meeting starts on 10/2 and will continue

until 10/14.

 

Feel free to contact me with any questions,

 

Kerry

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

International Fund for Animal Welfare

75 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

kbranon

www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org/>

 

 

 

 

 

DNA Testing Used for First Time on Elephant Ivory

 

 

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(Bangkok, Thailand - 27 September 2004) - IFAW (International Fund for Animal

Welfare - <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org) announced today that for the

first time ever DNA testing is being used on elephant ivory to help fight the

illegal ivory trade. High-tech crime-fighting techniques, such as DNA testing,

are increasingly used to investigate wildlife crime, a sophisticated, global

black market that is estimated at billions of dollars (U.S.) annually. Wildlife

crime - the illegal buying and selling of endangered animals and animal products

- is a growing problem that is driving animals like elephants, tigers and great

apes toward extinction.

 

 

 

IFAW is working with the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) on its investigation

into a seizure of 6.5 metric tons of illegal ivory. In 2002, the haul was seized

by officials in Singapore and remains the single largest seizure of illegal

ivory since the trade was banned by the U.N. Convention on the International

Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1989.

 

 

 

Scientists from Africa and North America are also cooperating on the ivory

investigation and hope that by using modern techniques, such as DNA analysis and

forensics technology, they can identify which populations of African elephants

the ivory has come from. Not only will this assist with the criminal

investigation, but this information will also help conservation groups, such as

IFAW, to identify which elephant populations are being targeted and threatened

by poachers to feed the demand for illegal ivory.

 

 

 

Information gathered by LATF through traditional investigative procedures, has

already led to several arrests, and indicates the consignment was packed in

Malawi and moved through South Africa before the interception in Singapore. LATF

has been working closely with the Zambia Wildlife Authority, Anti-Corruption

Bureau of Malawi, Interpol, World Customs and others in the investigations.

 

 

 

" LATF hails all cooperating parties in this endeavor including IFAW for their

invaluable contribution to the investigations and examination of this ivory. The

investigation is a big challenge, as it will require unearthing and exposing all

the players in the syndicate. The outcome of the investigation is intended to

facilitate the prosecution of the perpetrators of this crime, whoever they may

be, and formulate strategies to pre-empt recurrence of similar crimes, " said

Emily Kisamo, LATF Director.

 

Both the African and Asian elephant are listed as endangered and their

populations continue to decline worldwide.

 

 

 

Wildlife crime - the buying and selling of endangered animals and animal

products - is a growing problem that is driving animals like elephants, tigers

and great apes toward extinction.

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW works to protect animals and their habitats. With offices

in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great

apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how to help

animals, please visit www.ifaw.org.

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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