Poaching Of Animals Research Articles

Success in animal skin fashion in African countries or the boom of the wet market.

The world and the way things are done have changed, from selling clothing in brick-and-mortar stores to online shopping through social media platforms. Population growth has significantly contributed to an increased clothing demand, which, in turn, has increased the demand for animal skin. Traditional markets, also known as wet markets, are considered as major zoonotic disease reservoirs due to human and animal contact. Some groups and individuals continue to believe in traditional medicine and clothing that is made from animal skin, and such beliefs are more accessible with the presence of wet markets. Hence, animal poaching and trafficking have increased to meet the high demands, primarily in the Western world. Poverty is a well-known motivation to commit a crime. Conservationists should not only look at the animal regulation site to propose a solution to animal poaching and trafficking but should also consider communal poverty. Thus, this review aimed to highlight the role of wet market and animal skin fashion on animal welfare and human health.

An Evaluation of the Factors Affecting 'Poacher' Detection with Drones and the Efficacy of Machine-Learning for Detection.

Drones are being increasingly used in conservation to tackle the illegal poaching of animals. An important aspect of using drones for this purpose is establishing the technological and the environmental factors that increase the chances of success when detecting poachers. Recent studies focused on investigating these factors, and this research builds upon this as well as exploring the efficacy of machine-learning for automated detection. In an experimental setting with voluntary test subjects, various factors were tested for their effect on detection probability: camera type (visible spectrum, RGB, and thermal infrared, TIR), time of day, camera angle, canopy density, and walking/stationary test subjects. The drone footage was analysed both manually by volunteers and through automated detection software. A generalised linear model with a logit link function was used to statistically analyse the data for both types of analysis. The findings concluded that using a TIR camera improved detection probability, particularly at dawn and with a 90° camera angle. An oblique angle was more effective during RGB flights, and walking/stationary test subjects did not influence detection with both cameras. Probability of detection decreased with increasing vegetation cover. Machine-learning software had a successful detection probability of 0.558, however, it produced nearly five times more false positives than manual analysis. Manual analysis, however, produced 2.5 times more false negatives than automated detection. Despite manual analysis producing more true positive detections than automated detection in this study, the automated software gives promising, successful results, and the advantages of automated methods over manual analysis make it a promising tool with the potential to be successfully incorporated into anti-poaching strategies.

Hydrophobic Waxes in Ivory Nuts Affect Surface Modification by Atmospheric Air Plasma Jet

Ivory nuts, produced by palms from the genus Phytelephas, possess a hard and microporous endosperm with a strong resemblance to elephant ivory. The nuts sustainable appeal made them popular as eco-friendly substitutes to ivory since they promote the development of forest communities without contributing to deforestation and animal poaching. In addition, they have been commercialized as microbeads to replace microplastics in cosmetic applications. However, this material is vulnerable to deterioration by micro-organisms and insects, as they are predominantly constituted by β-1,4-mannan, a hydrophilic polysaccharide similar to cellulose. In this context, seed endosperm was treated for 80 s by an atmospheric air plasma jet so as to modify its wettability, as plasma has been widely studied recently for seed disinfection and surface modification. Plasma treated samples were characterized by the water contact angle, AFM, and Raman imaging. Water contact angle results showed an increase from (31.5 ± 8.7)º to (78.9 ± 5.4)º, indicating incorporation of hydrophobic moieties to the sample surface. In turn, AFM images demonstrate the formation of a rough and heterogeneous coating that resembles epicuticular wax layers. Furthermore, principal component analysis of Raman imaging results evidenced contributions from wax (1156, 1170 and 1410 cm-1), carbohydrates (1020, 1080 and 1106 cm-1), and lignin (1573, 1635 and 1662 cm-1). These results indicate that plasma treatment promoted the migration of hydrophobic waxes to the surface and their crosslinking with fragmented cell wall material such as mannan, xylan, and lignin, promoting seed hydrophobization with no need for additional precursors or generation of side products.

Detecting ‘poachers’ with drones: Factors influencing the probability of detection with TIR and RGB imaging in miombo woodlands, Tanzania

Conservation biologists increasingly employ drones to reduce poaching of animals. However, there are no published studies on the probability of detecting poachers and the factors influencing detection. In an experimental setting with voluntary subjects, we evaluated the influence of various factors on poacher detection probability: camera (visual spectrum: RGB and thermal infrared: TIR), density of canopy cover, subject distance from the image centreline, subject contrast against the background, altitude of the drone and image analyst. We manually analysed the footage and marked all recorded subject detections. A multilevel model was used to analyse the TIR image data and a general linear model approach was used for the RGB image data. We found that the TIR camera had a higher detection probability than the RGB camera. Detection probability in TIR images was significantly influenced by canopy density, subject distance from the centreline and the analyst. Detection probability in RGB images was significantly influenced by canopy density, subject contrast against the background, altitude and the analyst. Overall, our findings indicate that TIR cameras improve human detection, particularly at cooler times of the day, but this is significantly hampered by thick vegetation cover. The effects of diminished detection with increased distance from the image centreline can be improved by increasing the overlap between images although this requires more flights over a specific area. Analyst experience also contributed to increased detection probability, but this might cease being a problem following the development of automated detection using machine learning.

Modeling Environmental Crime in Protected Areas Using the Level Set Method

National parks often serve as hotspots for environmental crime such as illegal deforestation and animal poaching. Previous attempts to model environmental crime were either discrete and network-based or required very restrictive assumptions on the geometry of the protected region and made heavy use of radial symmetry. We formulate a level set method to track criminals inside a protected region which uses real elevation data to determine speed of travel, does not require any assumptions of symmetry, and can be applied to regions of arbitrary shape. In doing so, we design a Hamilton-Jacobi equation to describe movement of criminals while also incorporating the effects of patrollers who attempt to deter the crime. We discuss the numerical schemes that we use to solve this Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Finally, we apply our method to Yosemite National Park and Kangaroo Island, Australia and design practical patrol strategies with the goal of minimizing the area that is affected by criminal activity.

Short Communication: Ethnozoology – The perception of Tobelo Dalam tribal community in Saolat Village, East Halmahera, Indonesia towards cuscus (Phalangeridae)

Kusumaningrum EN, Supriatna J, Abinawanto, Bowolaksono A. 2018. Short Communication: Ethnozoology – The perception of Tobelo Dalam tribal community in Saolat Village, East Halmahera, Indonesia towards cuscus (Phalangeridae). Biodiversitas 19: 2140-2146. The complexity of the hard lives of Tobelo Dalam tribal community who live in Saolat village, district South Wasile provokes the high activity of animal poaching in Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park (TNAL) including cuscus hunting for both sale and consumption purposes. The study aimed to describe the traditional knowledge of Tobelo Dalam people in Saolat village in applying the systems of utilization and local conservation knowledge towards cuscus. This study was analyzed by the qualitative method with explorative survey technique, interview, and completing questionnaires. This study used 4 key informants (3 males, 1 female) and 50 adult respondents (25 males and 25 females). The results showed that the average percentage of traditional knowledge owned by males and females were 69.1% and 30.9 %, respectively, so the males had an advantage of knowledge around 38.3 % than females in addressing the traditional knowledge of cuscus. The community of Tobelo Dalam tribe hunts cuscus for four different purposes, i.e., for traditional ceremonies, traditional medicine, cuisine, and sell it for more income to support the economy of family.

Improved DNA-Based Identification of Cervidae Species in Forensic Investigations

Abstract The main reasons for wildlife forensic research are animal poaching, illegal trade, and falsified game meat products. Small trace amounts, old and degraded materials present the most common samples in revealing criminal activities in this field. This is the reason why it is crucial to use adequate and reliable methods and samples to identify animal species killed outside the hunting season or species protected by law. In this study, different endpoint PCR and real-time PCR protocols were compared in the identification of three Cervidae species (Capreolus capreolus, Cervus elaphus, Dama dama) from old and damaged material found in an enclosed area where the animals were kept. From a total of 129 samples, end point PCR provided results for 119 samples, while real-time PCR was successful in all cases. Also, we created and tested a protocol for simultaneous analyses of different types of samples, which is of great importance as when the amplification is carried out simultaneously it is more cost efficient and speeds up the process.

Conservationists take aim at poachers

As the rate of animal poaching continues to rise, conservationists have begun calling for stronger laws and deterrents to wildlife crimes.

Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Carcasses and Body Parts in Cases of Animal Poaching

Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Carcasses and Body Parts in Cases of Animal Poaching

Saving rhinos with predictive analytics

This article, the first entry in the new Predictive Analytics column, looks at the problem of animal poaching. The authors describe their Anti-Poaching Engine system, which builds on behavior models of both rhinos and poachers to protect as many animals as possible.

Spatial patterns of illegal resource extraction in Kibale National Park, Uganda

SUMMARYConservation policy typically excludes people from national parks and manages encroachment by law enforcement. However, local people continue to extract resources from protected areas by boundary encroachment and poaching. This paper quantifies the patterns of illegal resource extraction from Kibale National Park in Uganda, the demand for Park resources by communities bordering the Park, and examines whether designated resource access agreements reduce illegal extraction. Sections of the Park boundary were examined and human entry trails, wood extraction, livestock grazing, and animal poaching signs were quantified. Levels of illegal extraction were compared with the demand for and admitted illegal access to resources inside the Park, collected in a survey of households located near the Park. Extraction was also compared between villages with and without negotiated resources access agreements. The most wanted and extracted resource from the Park was wood for fuel and construction. Implementation of resource access agreements with local community associations was found to be an effective means of reducing illegal extraction, but only if the association members profited from the agreement.

The Ivory Trail

This article discusses the poaching of animals in Africa. The economics of the trade in ivory, demand for which declined in Western nations after a ban in its trade under the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, is considered. The use of DNA forensics to determine the sources of ivory, which is poached for the benefit of Asian consumers, is described. INSETS: DNA FINGERPRINTING;HOW MANY ELEPHANTS ARE BEING KILLED?;Elephants Are Not Alone;Are There Too Many Elephants?

Development of STR profiling systems for individual identification in wildlife: A case study of the Eurasian badger, Meles meles

The application of STR profiling to the individual identification of wildlife is already practised in forensic investigations relating to illegal trade, animal poaching and persecution, however validation of species-specific profiling systems is often limited. Focussing on the Eurasian badger, this study aimed to provide a framework for the application of validation guidelines and match probability statistics to forensic wildlife DNA profiling. Ten STR loci were used to generate 1083 genotypes from 20 UK populations. Markers were individually validated as extensively as possible following SWGDAM guidelines; limitations to this process are discussed. Estimates of population substructure ( F ST = 0.12) and inbreeding ( F IS = 0.11) strongly affected the power of individual discrimination highlighting their importance in wildlife STR profile matching.

Faunal Resources of the Gaoligongshan Region of Yunnan, China: Diverse and Threatened

We estimate that roughly one-third of Gaoligongshan's total area is now devoted exclusively to agriculture and other uses that preclude maintenance of biodiversity. In most cases, primary forests existing at the establishment of the three Nature Reserves have been conserved effectively. However, small-scale (but largely unmonitored and uncontrolled) tree-felling and other vegetation disturbance continues in many areas. Despite these lapses, forests are in better condition within, than outside of, established Nature Reserves. As well, the future for these forests looks brighter than for those surviving outside Reserves: at the very least, county governments are not free to convert them into pine plantations.In contrast, hunting has been reduced only slightly — much less effectively than forest cutting has been. Although it is possible to find evidence of persistence of some rare animal species, and some Nature Reserve personnel believe there are indications that sensitive and rare species are showing an upward trend, poaching of animals is still common, particularly of smaller-bodied or lesser-known species. Although it seems well established that wellknown species (e.g. Takin) must be strictly protected, many species at equal or greater risk of extirpation and equally protected legally (e.g. some species of pheasants), do not enjoy such effective protection.

Soil loosening and drainage of structurally unstable silty soils

Secondary drainage treatments are carried out with the objective of enhancing the performance of permanent piped schemes. In this study, a drainage experiment was designed to investigate the effect of soil loosening on storm water redistribution in a structurally unstable silt soil following the installation of underdrainage. Results show that even though loosening reduced dry bulk density between 0.2 and 0.4 m depth by 15%, with a 270% increase in transmission pores (> 60 μm equivalent diameter) at the interface of what was the cultivated and undisturbed soil, drainage efficiency was not enhanced, as might have been expected from the 10- to 20-fold increase in hydraulic conductivity. Loosening not only lengthens the median time of concentration by 0.42 and 0.33 h for simple and secondary winter storms, respectively, but also caused lower peak discharges when compared with unloosened soil. Measurements of soil water energetics reveal that a greater proportion of rainfall is diverted into the loosened zone below the plough layer and detained there, reducing the 24 h drainage efficiency. On a seasonal timescale, the greater storage between 0.2 and 0.4 m depth causes a 6.3% increase in the winter mean water content, and means that the rooting environment of the loosened soil is wetter prior to a rainstorm. Consequently, in wet autumns and springs, loosened soils will be more susceptible to structural damage by animal poaching or the traffic of farm machinery.