DNA testing used for first time on elephant ivory

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DNA testing used for first time on elephant ivory

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 27, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

(Bangkok, Thailand - 27 September 2004) ¨C IFAW

(International Fund for Animal Welfare ¨C 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 ¨C the illegal buying and selling of endangered

animals and animal products ¨C 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.

 

 

 

Dr. Sam Wasser, of the University of Washington in the U.S.

is cooperating on the ivory investigation. With support from

IFAW, he and his researchers are analyzing the DNA from the

seized ivory, and using new methods developed by his team

can show generally from which populations of African

elephants the ivory comes 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 ¨C the buying and selling of endangered

animals and animal products ¨C 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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For media-related inquiries, contact:

Chris Galazzi (IFAW) ¨C Tel: 094061484; Email:

cgalazzi

 

Chris Cutter, IFAW, U.S. Tel: 508-744-2066, Email:

ccutter

Editors: For more information visit www.ifaw.org