Our Wild World

International wildlife crime, illegal ivory and elephant poaching have reached all time highs decimating elephant populations to an all time low. Using highly trained detection dogs, my guest Dr. Samuel Wasser, has developed DNA mapping methods from dung samplings that can determine both the geographic origins of poached African elephants and match that to major ivory seizures. Collaborating with the Interpol Working Group on Wildlife Crime, DNA testing provides investigators with a detailed map of where poaching is most prevalent while also matching the DNA fingerprint of ivory to individual elephants. These methods, combined with existing information on known criminal networks, enables law enforcement agencies to track and crack down on wildlife trafficking, further enhancing wildlife conservation management policies around the world while also adding pressure to implicated countries toward greater law enforcement actions within their borders.