Tusks and trinkets: An overview of illicit ivory trafficking in Africa

Gossmann, Anita

doi:10.1080/10246029.2009.9627557

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The illegal ivory trade continues to decimate wild elephant populations [1]. Most large-scale ivory seizures occur in Africa or Asia, many of which involve organised criminal syndicates [2,3]. Forensic testing of ivory is a key CITES recommendation, particularly for seizures ≥500 kg [4], with the aim of determining the age or origin of the ivory for the purposes of investigations and prosecutions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expediting the sampling, decalcification, and forensic DNA analysis of large elephant ivory seizures to aid investigations and prosecutions

Ewart¹,

Lightson²,

Sitam³

et al. 2020

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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A B S T R A C TThe illegal ivory trade continues to drive elephant poaching. Large ivory seizures in Africa and Asia are still commonplace. Wildlife forensics is recognised as a key enforcement tool to combat this trade. However, the time and resources required to effectively test large ivory seizures is often prohibitive. This limits or delays testing, which may impede investigations and/or prosecutions. Typically, DNA analysis of an ivory seizure involves pairing and sorting the tusks, sampling the tusks, powdering the sample, decalcification, then DNA extraction. Here, we optimize the most time-consuming components of this process: sampling and decalcification. Firstly, using simulations, we demonstrate that tusks do not need to be paired to ensure an adequate number of unique elephants are sampled in a large seizure. Secondly, we determined that directly powdering the ivory using a Dremel drill with a high-speed cutter bit, instead of cutting the ivory with a circular saw and subsequently powdering the sample in liquid nitrogen with a freezer mill, produces comparable results. Finally, we optimized a rapid 2 -h decalcification protocol that produces comparable results to a standard 3-day protocol. We tested/ optimised the protocols on 33 raw and worked ivory samples, and demonstrated their utility on a case study, successfully identifying 94% of samples taken from 123 tusks. Using these new rapid protocols, the entire sampling and DNA extraction process takes less than one day and requires less-expensive equipment. We expect that the implementation of these rapid protocols will promote more consistent and timely testing of ivory seizures suitable for enforcement action.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expediting the sampling, decalcification, and forensic DNA analysis of large elephant ivory seizures to aid investigations and prosecutions

Ewart¹,

Lightson²,

Sitam³

et al. 2020

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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“…Furthermore, cronyism and nepotism reduces ranger staff morale as well as the possibility of illegal activities being reported (Smith et al 2014). Legal loopholes along the trade chain (Weru 2016) and Boneoff^sales of ivory stockpiles (Gossmann 2009) are argued by some as being one of the main driving forces behind the demand for ivory which ultimately intensifies poaching for and smuggling of ivory (Bennett 2014;EIA 2014;Gossmann 2009). For example, in Chad, the poaching of elephants increased dramatically because of the increasing Bacceptability of and access to the global ivory trade^ (Gossmann 2009: 55).…”

Section: The Case Studies Involving Asia Ivorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Corruption and Wildlife Trafficking: Three Case Studies Involving Asia

et al. 2017

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As wildlife trafficking or the illegal wildlife trade has taken a more prominent place on the global agenda, discussions are taking place as to how wildlife trafficking happens. An increased understanding has revealed that corruption is a key facilitator of this profitable and pervasive global black market, but limited research has explored exactly what that corruption looks like and how corruption enables wildlife to be trafficked. Furthermore, research shows that Asia, particularly China and Southeast Asia, are focal points for the supply and demand of certain species of wildlife. Through a literature-based investigation, this paper unpacks the role specific acts of corruption play in the trafficking of ivory, reptile skins and live reptiles from, through or to Asia. It is proposed that not only do individual corrupt acts enable wildlife trafficking to happen, but also that corrupted structures (the criminal justice system, and economic and political foundations) in some societies enable trafficking to happen and also increase the resilience of trafficking to reduction measures. In collating detailed data about the forms of corruption facilitating wildlife trafficking, the gaps in knowledge, and therefore the important areas for further research, become evident.

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Crimes Against Animal Life

Sollund¹

2014

Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice

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Tusks and trinkets: An overview of illicit ivory trafficking in Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 3 publications

Expediting the sampling, decalcification, and forensic DNA analysis of large elephant ivory seizures to aid investigations and prosecutions

Expediting the sampling, decalcification, and forensic DNA analysis of large elephant ivory seizures to aid investigations and prosecutions

Corruption and Wildlife Trafficking: Three Case Studies Involving Asia

Crimes Against Animal Life

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