Wildlife across our borders: a review of the illegal trade in Australia

Alacs, Erika; Georges, Arthur

doi:10.1080/00450610802491382

Cited by 106 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…As the scale and level of sophistication of wildlife crime has increased in many parts of the world the penalties for such crimes have largely remained unchanged, and many penalties do not even match the black-market value for many species [5]. We estimate the black-market value of black-cockatoos within Australia or internationally would range from AUD$1,500 to AUD$12,500 per bird.…”

Section: Conclusion 340mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Application of STR markers in wildlife forensic casework involving Australian black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

White

Dawson²,

Coghlan

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Parrots and cockatoos are highly prized aviary birds and the demands for such species 20 has fuelled their illegal trade and harvest from the wild. Here we report on three forensic case studies involving black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.) endemic to Australia. These cases involve suspected poaching and illegal killing of endangered red-and white-tailed black-cockatoos. Through the prior development of 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci and population databases for white-and red-tailed 25 black-cockatoos, the tools are available to conduct high-resolution paternity and individual identity testing. In one case, we matched a red-tailed black-cockatoo nestling to a tree hollow from which it was poached through the use of DNA from eggshell recovered from the nest. For the second case, we utilized our provenance population database (nest sites), and identified the kinship and geographic origin of a 30 white-tailed black-cockatoo, of which was illegally harvested from the wild. The third case determined the number individual white-tailed black-cockatoos allegedly shot at a fruit grower's orchard from body part remains. These genetic investigations highlight the significance and statistical confidence of DNA profiling and associated databases for endangered taxa, such as exotic birds. Our cockatoo population 35 databases are the first of their kind in Australia, and demonstrate the efficacy of such approaches to identify such illegal activity. With a robust set of genetic markers and methodologies in place, we aim to broaden our population databases to include other cockatoo species of conservation concern. 40

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Section: Conclusion 340mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rarity of this bird in captivity, fuelled by demand by collectors has caused prices to rise to ~AUD$20,000 per bird [1]. Clearly, there are considerable monetary 60 motivations for taking part in the illegal bird trade, especially considering that prosecutions are rare and the penalties are not particularly harsh [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of STR markers in wildlife forensic casework involving Australian black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

White

Dawson²,

Coghlan

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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“…Some of the most highly sought after and prized animals and/or animal products include numerous species of reptile, bird, and mammal such as tigers, elephants, bears, and rhinoceros [4] and [5]. Rare and endangered birds of various species are frequently traded to supply demand to bird enthusiasts and breeders internationally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rare and endangered birds of various species are frequently traded to supply demand to bird enthusiasts and breeders internationally. Birds of the order Psittaciformes, Psittacidae (parrots) and Cacatuidae (cockatoos), are particularly popular, due to their intelligence, ability to vocalize, and brilliant colouring, and can demand prices well into the tens of thousands of dollars [5]. The black-market price for wildlife species that are listed for protection under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), inevitably increases as the species become rarer and trade becomes more restricted [3] and [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egg forensics: An appraisal of DNA sequencing to assist in species identification of illegally smuggled eggs

Coghlan

White

Parkinson

et al. 2012

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Psittaciformes (parrots and cockatoos) are charismatic birds, their plumage and capacity for learning make them highly sought after pets. The illegal trade in parrots and cockatoos poses a serious threat to the viability of native populations; in addition, species transported to non-endemic areas may potentially vector disease and genetically 'pollute' local native avifauna. To reduce the logistical difficulties associated with trafficking live birds, smugglers often transport eggs. This creates a problem for authorities in elucidating accurate species identification without the laborious task of incubation and hand rearing until a morphological identification can be made. Here, we use 99 avian eggs seized from carriers coming into and within Australia, as a result of suspected illegal trade. We investigate and evaluate the use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to accurately identify eggs to family, genus or species level. However, Identification of a species based on percentage mtDNA similarities is difficult without good representations of the inter-and intra-levels of species variation.Based on the available reference database, we were able to identify 52% of the eggs to species level.Of those, 10 species from eight genera were detected, all of which belong to the parrot (Psittacidae) and cockatoo (Cacatuidae) families. Of the remaining 48%, a further 36% of eggs were identified to genus level, and 12% identified to family level using our assignment criteria. Clearly the lack of validated DNA reference sequences is hindering our ability to accurately assign a species identity, and accordingly, we advocate that more attention needs to be paid to establishing validated, multi locus mtDNA reference databases for exotic birds that can both assist in genetic identifications and withstand legal scrutiny.

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confidence: 99%

Introduction: Wildlife Crime

Pires

2015

Eur J Crim Policy Res

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The poaching and the subsequent illegal trafficking of wildlife has become a booming local and global business (Alacs and Georges 2008) and is directly related to significant population losses for many species (Schneider 2012). In the last decade, countless media stories have been shared about the rise in poaching incidents particularly as they relate to the more photogenic animals, such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers. Many of these animals are critically endangered or have already gone extinct in the wild. For example, both the Western Black Rhino (Save the Rhino International 2015) and the Northern White Rhino are believed to be extinct in the wild (WWF 2015) as a direct consequence of rhino poaching for their horns. The poaching and illegal trafficking of animals and/or their by-products is not limited to only photogenic species. Pangolins, an insect-eating mammal that is similar to an armadillo, are not particularly attractive (Gill 2012) and do not receive much media attention, but are among the most poached mammals in the world for their meat and scales (Sutter 2014). The illegal wildlife trade is driven by a number of factors including the pet trade, accessories or luxury items, bush meat, and alternative medicines.As a result of the increased attention to 'wildlife crime', researchers from a variety of disciplines have begun to give this problem more attention. One of those disciplines is criminology. In fact, many criminology-related publications on the topic have been published within the last couple of years. For instance, a quick search of Criminal Justice Abstracts using Bwildlife conservation^produced 236 articles or books published from 1937 to 2005, and 247 articles and books in the ten years spanning 2006 to 2015. Clearly, criminologists have become more interested in the sub-discipline of wildlife crime, also known as 'conservation criminology', and have made great progress in explaining why it happens, how the trade operates and offer solutions to reduce its frequency.The purpose of this special issue on BWildlife Crime^is to create awareness of this global issue, increase dialogue with conservationists, and promote partnership research with park rangers and others on the ground. This special issue on wildlife crime covers a broad range of topics and includes conceptual and empirical papers.

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Wildlife across our borders: a review of the illegal trade in Australia

Cited by 106 publications

References 17 publications

Application of STR markers in wildlife forensic casework involving Australian black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

Application of STR markers in wildlife forensic casework involving Australian black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

Egg forensics: An appraisal of DNA sequencing to assist in species identification of illegally smuggled eggs

Introduction: Wildlife Crime

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