Australian wildlife is showing up around the world where it shouldn't. Now animal forensics, artificial intelligence and advanced science are combining to combat the trafficking of these creatures.
Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest organised crime globally, worth over $450 billion a year, according to the Wildlife Crime Research Hub .Australian scientists have created tools to detect and trace wildlife being smuggled out of, and brought into, the country.
"Often they do have to be euthanised if they're carrying disease, or they're in a really bad state with broken limbs or dehydration and won't make a recovery." A majority of those deals are said to take place in private online forums, chat groups and communities of specialist collectors. The syndicates are complex, often described as unorganised-organised crime, and the ones who get caught are seldom at the top of the chain.Animal forensics, artificial intelligence and advanced science are being combined in several cutting-edge projects across Australia.
"We're really looking for species endemic to Australia making their way into international marketplaces … it's like finding a needle in a haystack."Their latest weapon is an X-ray gun — that in a majority of cases — can trace a lizard's origin by reading the unique genetic signature in its scales. The rapid DNA test being carried out on the rhino horn was developed with the support of the federal government.Using a 10-kilogram horn seized by Australian customs and valued close to a million dollars, his team has created a rapid DNA test which can identify the species the horn was taken from, and in some instances link it to individual carcasses.
Australian Wildlife Cockatoos Kangaroos Illegal Trade Shingleback Blue-Tongue Lizard Wildlife Crime Research Hub Taronga Zoo Australian Museum
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