Tool Type: forensic analysis and DNA tracking
Tools used to identify and analyze biological or chemical signatures, such as DNA or isotopic markers, to track wildlife, trace illegal products, or determine the origin of trafficked goods (e.g., ivory or gold).
LionLocalizer
LionLocalizer is an online tool to provide intelligence into the possible geographic origin of any seized lion body parts. It uses genetic sequences generated from seized lion parts to match them against a database with known, georeferenced lion genetic sequences.
Loxodonta Localizer
Just as LionLocalizer can provide intelligence into the possible geographic origin of any seized lion body parts, Loxodonta Localizer is able to use genetic sequences generated from elephant body parts, including ivory, to match them against a database known, georeferenced elephant genetic sequences.
XYLOTRON
A complete, self-contained, multi-illumination, field-deployable, open-source platform for field imaging and identification of forest products at the macroscopic scale. The XyloTron platform integrates an imaging system build with off-the-shelf components, flexible illumination options with visible and UV light sources, software for camera control, and deep learning models for identification.
SCAT
Software for “smoothed and continuous assignment tests” that combines genetic and statistical methods to determine the origin of poached ivory. The methods estimate geographic-specific allele frequencies over the entire African elephants’ range. These geographic-specific allele frequency estimates are used to infer the geographic origin of DNA samples.
Ivory ID
Utilises stable isotope methods validated by researchers from WWF Germany and works with partners from the University of Regensburg who analyse radioactive isotopes to determine the age of ivory. Its website includes a free and readily accessible reference database of over 700 samples of ivory from African and Asian elephant range states, and was handed over to the international CITES community at COP 17 in 2016.
Ouro Alvo/Ouroteca
“Gold Library” – database with samples obtained from different parts of Brazil that allows the federal police to create a chemical fingerprint of each sample, which they can then use to cross-reference the origin of seized or suspicious gold.
RhODIS
Database that gathers DNA profiles and the location of rhinos in South Africa. When authorities confiscate rhino horn, they can run a DNA test to determine its exact origin. This is intended to serve as a deterrent to poachers and assist in prosecutions.