Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal—A molecular forensic approach

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Karmacharya, D
Sherchan, AM
Dulal, S
Manandhar, P
Manandhar, S
Joshi, J
Bhattarai, S
Bhatta, TR
Awasthi, N
Sharma, AN
Bista, M
Silwal, NR
Pokharel, P
Hughes, J
et al.
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2018
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

Tiger (Panthera tigris) populations are in danger across their entire range due to habitat loss, poaching and the demand for tiger parts. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an endangered apex predator with a population size estimated to be less than 200 in Nepal. In spite of strict wildlife protection laws, illegal trade of tiger parts is increasing; and Nepal has become one of the major sources and transit routes for poached wildlife parts. Identification of wildlife parts is often challenging for law enforcement officials due to inadequate training and lack of available tools. Here, we describe a molecular forensic approach to gain insight into illegally trafficked tiger parts seized across Nepal. We created Nepal’s first comprehensive reference genetic database of wild tigers through the Nepal Tiger Genome Project (2011–2013). This database has nuclear DNA microsatellite genotype and sex profiles, including geo-spatial information, of over 60% (n = 120) of the wild tigers of Nepal. We analyzed 15 putative cases of confiscated poached tiger parts and all were confirmed to be of tiger. Ten samples were identified as male and five were female. We determined probable geo-source location for 9 of the 14 samples with 6–8 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci using inferences from four different statistical assignment methods. Six samples were assigned to Bardia National Park and one of these was an exact match to a female tiger previously profiled in our fecal DNA reference database. Two tiger samples were assigned to Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and one to Chitwan National Park. We are unable to definitively assign five tiger samples which could be offspring dispersers or might have come from tiger population outside of Nepal. Our study revealed that the western region, particularly Bardia National Park, is a poaching hotspot for illegal tiger trade in Nepal. We present feasibility of using molecular forensic based evidence to incriminate criminals in a court of law in the fight against wildlife crime.

Journal Title

PLoS One

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

13

Issue

8

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© The Authors 2020. This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Ecology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Karmacharya, D; Sherchan, AM; Dulal, S; Manandhar, P; Manandhar, S; Joshi, J; Bhattarai, S; Bhatta, TR; Awasthi, N; Sharma, AN; Bista, M; Silwal, NR; Pokharel, P; Hughes, J; et al., Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal—A molecular forensic approach, PLoS One, 2018, 13 (8), pp. e0201639

Collections