Genetic assignment of large seizures of elephant ivory reveals Africa’s major poaching hotspots

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Abstract
Focused on protecting a few: The illegal ivory trade threatens the persistence of stable wild elephant populations. The underground and covert nature of poaching makes it difficult to police. Wasser et al. used genetic tools to identify the origins of elephant tusks seized during transit (see the Perspective by Hoelzel). The majority of source animals were part of just a few wild elephant populations in Africa—and just two areas since 2006. Increased focus on enforcement in a few such areas could help interrupt poaching activities and restore wild elephant populations. Science , this issue p. 84 ; see also p. 34
Funding Information
  • Allen Family Philanthropies
  • World Bank
  • National Institute of Justice (2011-DN-13X-K541)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service African Elephant Conservation Act
  • Bosack Kruger Charitable Foundation
  • Paul and Yaffa Maritz
  • U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime
  • Woodtiger Fund
  • INTERPOL
  • Wildcat Foundation

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