Search Results (76)

Local communities residing near protected areas (PAs) play a crucial role in wildlife conservation and biodiversity management, as their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) significantly influence conservation outcomes. However, understanding the socio-ecological relationship between local communities and wildlife remains very limited. This study aims to explore the KAP of local communities toward wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity management in Bangladesh. A structured survey was carried out to analyze the local communities’ KAP in the selected wildlife areas. The collected data were systematically analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. The result showed that most of the respondents were male (>60%), aged 26–45 years (>65%), with substantial variation in education, including high proportions lacking formal schooling (40–55%). More than half of the respondents earned below BDT 20,000 per month, reflecting economic vulnerability. The results indicated a substantial level of knowledge regarding the ecosystem, human–wildlife conflict, and impacts of illegal hunting and wildlife trade. Attitudes toward conservation were similarly positive including support for wildlife education, reporting poaching, and avoiding harmful practices. In contrast, perception indicators showed a moderate to comparable level of agreement regarding shared conservation, impacts of urbanization, and the need for inclusive governance. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis demonstrated high predictive accuracy with Area Under the Curve (AUC) for knowledge (AUC = 0.91) and attitudes (AUC = 0.89), and moderate performance for perceptions (AUC = 0.68). The spearman correlation analysis revealed spatially heterogeneous KAP dynamics across wildlife-rich areas. Additionally, the logistic regression analysis revealed that demographic factors, particularly gender and age, were significant predictors of the local community’s KAP toward wildlife conservation (p < 0.05). The findings urged a comprehensive, integrated conservation strategy that combines community awareness with evidence-based interventions in forest-edge regions. Our study also suggests that a sustainable conservation model is essential for ensuring long-term biodiversity conservation and promoting human–wildlife coexistence in Bangladesh. Full article

The number of households with pets has been steadily increasing in recent years, highlighting the growing social and economic importance of companion animals. The increasing role of animals in human life and the need for biodiversity protection have contributed to growing interest in animal DNA analysis, although it still remains less developed than human forensic genetics. Current research focuses on genetic identification, parentage verification, biodiversity monitoring, and wildlife forensic investigations. DNA identification methods have evolved from restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, which is currently one of the most widely used approaches due to its high sensitivity, discriminatory power, and the possibility of multiplex amplification. Recent advances include the implementation of massively parallel sequencing (MPS/NGS), sequence-based STR typing, and integrated SNPSTR systems, which significantly improve the interpretation of complex and degraded samples. Despite challenges associated with PCR artefacts, stutter formation, allelic imbalance, and interpretation of low-template DNA, STR markers remain valuable tools in forensic analyses, conservation genetics, and combating illegal wildlife trade. Continued development of new marker panels, standardized nomenclature systems, and bioinformatic approaches is essential for improving the effectiveness and reliability of animal genetic identification. Full article

Colombia hosts 28 species of freshwater and terrestrial turtles, yet anthropogenic pressures such as illegal trafficking and urban expansion have intensified risks. In Cali, non-native turtles are frequently introduced into wetlands through pet abandonment and confiscations, creating novel assemblages in urban ecosystems. To examine this issue, ecological surveys were conducted in three urban wetlands during December 2024, complemented by enforcement records from the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) spanning 2015–2023 and reports from environmental authorities. Turtles were captured manually using natural baits placed in floating containers or along shoreline areas to attract individuals, then identified morphologically, measured for standard morphometric parameters, and released at the site of capture. WRC records were reviewed to assess species composition and causes of admission. Field sampling yielded 109 individuals representing four species (Trachemys callirostris, Podocnemis unifilis, Kinosternon leucostomum, Rhinoclemmys melanosterna). WRC records documented 2751 individuals across 11 species, with five taxa accounting for over 96% of admissions. Both datasets revealed a predominance of Trachemys callirostris. Morphometric data indicated multiple size classes, suggesting demographic heterogeneity within the turtle populations inhabiting the sampled wetlands. The overlap between confiscation records and wetland observations suggests potential links between illegal trade and species presence in urban wetlands, while the predominance of voluntary surrenders reflect the influence of enforcement activity and pet abandonment. Collectively, these findings demonstrate how urban wetlands facilitate the persistence of non-native turtles, reshaping species composition and underscoring the urgency of integrated strategies that combine enforcement, habitat management, veterinary protocols, and citizen education to safeguard native biodiversity. Full article

Illegal wildlife trade and other forms of wildlife crime pose significant threats to global biodiversity. Accurate species identification of wildlife products is crucial for effectively combating illegal wildlife trade. In recent years, forensic species identification using molecular methods has gained increasing attention. Here, we report a case involving 1777 trafficked fish maws and 18,170 trafficked shark fins. We employed DNA barcoding for forensic species identification and a large-sample inference strategy for population estimation. A total of 325 samples (197 fish maws and 128 shark fins) were randomly selected for DNA testing based on their pre-classified morphological categories. Two DNA barcodes (COI and 16S) were used, and sequence alignment was conducted using the NCBI GenBank and BOLD systems. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on sequences detected from the samples and reference sequences, with results consistent with the sequence alignment. Consequently, seven species were identified, four of which, corresponding to approximately 17,351 to 18,170 specimens, are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Full article

Zoomafia is frequently invoked in Italian public, advocacy, and institutional discourse to describe profit-oriented animal-related crime, but the term remains analytically broad and insufficiently connected to criminological theory. This narrative criminological review examines zoomafia as a cautious social-scientific lens for studying organized animal-related crime across heterogeneous illicit markets. Keyword-driven searches in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and targeted criminological, legal, policy, and institutional sources were complemented by citation tracking and qualitative source selection. Peer-reviewed scholarship forms the analytical core, while legal, institutional, and advocacy materials are used selectively and with explicit evidentiary limits. Findings suggest that organized animal-related crime is best understood through market governance, brokerage, legal-illegal interface management, digital mediation, logistics, facilitation, evidentiary visibility, and variable convergence with other illicit economies, rather than through generic offence labels alone. The Italian perspective is analytically useful because companion-animal trafficking, dog fighting and betting circuits, clandestine horse racing, illicit slaughtering, wildlife trafficking, and online-facilitated trade can be compared within a shared frame that also exposes the limits of rhetorical mafia labelling. The article argues that zoomafia should not be treated as a self-proving mafia label, a new legal category, or a synonym for wildlife trafficking, but as a comparative framework for identifying organizational features, enforcement constraints, and evidentiary thresholds. The evidence base remains stronger on strategic recommendations than on robust comparative evaluation of enforcement effectiveness. Full article

The Seven-coloured Tanager Tangara fastuosa is a threatened species, with little data available on its reproduction. Between 1987 and 2025, 29 nests were found around the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve in Quebrangulo, Alagoas, north-eastern Brazil. Nests were cup-shaped, with average external dimensions of 11.0 × 7.3 cm and average internal dimensions of 6.2 × 3.7 cm. They were built at an average height of 5.4 m above ground. Mean clutch size was 2.7 eggs, which measured 20.9 × 15.6 mm, and weighed 2.6 g. Eggs were beige in colour with greenish undertones and were heavily spotted with purple or rusty brown. Average incubation period was 13.8 days, and average nestling period was 15.4 days. Apparent nest success was 51.7%, with predation being the main cause of nest failure. Parents, sometimes assisted by helpers, fed the nestlings with small fruits, fruit pulp, seeds, and various arthropods. Our records provide new information on the reproduction of this species in interior and edge forests. However, forest destruction and capture for the illegal wildlife trade pose a threat to the survival of its populations, both remaining an issue in the study area. Full article

Kenya has a long history of both legal and illegal wildlife trade, functioning as a source, consumer, and transit hub within global wildlife markets. Yet, despite its increasing prominence, the scale and composition of Kenya’s captive-bred and ranched wildlife trade sectors remain poorly characterized, particularly following the enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA) in 2013. This study addresses this gap by analyzing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) annual report data from 2013 to 2023 to: (1) identify trends in the volume and taxonomic composition of CITES-listed species exported as captive-bred or ranched from Kenya; (2) quantify the number of specimens and individuals traded; (3) assess their conservation status and legal classification; and (4) identify key export destinations. Between 2013 and 2023, Kenya reported 886 CITES export records involving captive-bred and ranched specimens from 28 vertebrate taxa across nine orders. Reptiles dominated exports (81% of records), followed by birds (15%) and mammals (4%). Live animals accounted for 80% of records (with reptiles comprising 96.1% of all live animal export records), totaling more than 870,000 individuals traded over the study period. The annual number of export records more than doubled across the decade, while exports of individual live reptiles increased more than tenfold, from 8551 individuals in 2013 to 86,330 in 2023. Most exports were commercial (93%) with the United States, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea identified as major importers. 77% of exported species have unknown or declining wild population trends, and seven species are internationally threatened, including the Critically Endangered pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri). We highlight the animal welfare, conservation, and biosecurity implications of this rapidly expanding trade, as well as consistent discrepancies between exporter- and importer-reported quantities that indicate substantial monitoring and regulatory challenges. The findings provide timely evidence to inform national wildlife management and protection measures, and ongoing policy discussions including those surrounding the forthcoming Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill (2025) and the role of captive breeding in Kenya’s wildlife trade. Full article

Wildlife trafficking poses a severe threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem stability, necessitating robust forensic tools for tracing the origins of illegally traded taxa. In this study, we developed a method of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based molecular markers to enable precise geographical traceability of four animal species native to China: the Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana), brown eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum), blue eared pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum), and Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). We studied these four species because their DNA is characterized by distinct population genetic structure, they are subjected to illegal trafficking, and given their diverse evolutionary histories, this allowed us to assess the general applicability of our forensic genetic framework in reducing wildlife crime. Based on whole-genome resequencing data from 26 Tibetan macaques, 51 eared pheasants and 42 Chinese pangolins, we performed population genetic analyses to elucidate their genetic structure and identify population-specific loci. The results indicated that all samples from these four species showed clear genetic differentiation and distinct clustering, allowing us to design primers to facilitate PCR-based traceability. We also assessed the utility of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for tracing Tibetan macaques and both species of eared pheasants. We found that traceability accuracy using mtDNA was lower than when using SNPs. Our research offers a SNP-based traceability framework that accurately determines the geographical origin of wildlife samples to the genetic population level, and this provides a powerful tool for combating illegal trade and aiding conservation efforts. Full article

The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) poses a significant global challenge that threatens biodiversity and ecosystem balance. This study addresses these complexities by proposing the Integrated Ecological Intervention Optimization Model (IEIOM). The model integrates three core metrics—habitat area, crime rate, and quantity of IWT—while incorporating multidimensional analysis and predictive modeling across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. To enhance predictive accuracy, we employed nonlinear regression, grey prediction, and autoregressive models. These predictive insights, combined with empirical data, were integrated into a multi-index intervention optimization framework using a sum-of-sines function. A simulated annealing algorithm was subsequently applied to achieve global optimization. Results indicate that the proposed IEIOM outperforms the traditional entropy weight method by providing a more dynamic, data-driven weight allocation. The optimal weights prioritized crime suppression (50%), habitat protection (28%), and trade regulation (22%), underscoring the critical roles of law enforcement and environmental preservation. Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated that technological innovation, community collaboration, and public awareness are pivotal to successful interventions. Overall, the IEIOM provides a robust decision-support tool for policymakers, enabling effective resource allocation to combat IWT and contributing to long-term sustainable development. Full article

The illegal wildlife trade remains a significant threat to biodiversity in South Africa. The poaching of native species in the country has increased over the years, primarily driven by the demand for abalone, rhino horns, and pangolin scales. This study analysed TRAFFIC wildlife crime records between 1984 and 2025 to identify hotspots, trends in enforcement over time, and the most affected species. We found that provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have the highest diversity of species affected, while the Western Cape recorded the highest number of incidents, predominantly seizures. Seizure was the most common wildlife activity, followed by poaching and illegal harvesting, with fewer cases of smuggling, breeding, and prosecution. A total of 50 species across nine animal classes were impacted, with white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum (Burchell, 1817)), abalone (Haliotis midae (Linnaeus, 1758)), lion (Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758)), and ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii (Smuts, 1832)) among the most frequently targeted. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between seizures and arrests (Pearson’s r = 0.90, p = 0.001) across provinces. This indicates a substantial strengthening of law-enforcement activity across provinces, likely driven by enhanced detection or reporting, as reflected in a rising proportion of cases resulting in arrests. Species such as elephants and pangolins were associated with enforcement outcomes, particularly those involving horns, tusks, scales, and dead specimens. There is a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, and provinces must collaborate in combating the wildlife trade. Limitations in data completeness and species representation suggest the need for improved surveillance and reporting mechanisms to fully understand and combat illegal wildlife trade in South Africa. Full article

The illegal wildlife trade is a global problem that continues to harm individuals, wildlife populations, ecosystems, and humans at an increasing rate. While efforts are underway globally to address the issue through a coordinated approach, the testing of new technologies in real-world settings remains limited. Here, we present the outcomes of an opportunistic Australian trial that tested two machine-learning tools during real-world seizures, including associated radiation-exposure safety data. During the seven-month trial, 116 animals were intercepted, representing reptiles and crustacea across five Genera: Tiliqua, Egernia, Oedura, Chelodina, and Euastacus. Of the 18 seized consignments, totalling 48 parcels, scanned through the RTT^®110 CT X-ray baggage scanner, automated AI detected smuggled wildlife 56% of the time using the most successful algorithm (AT.3), and captured 48 high-resolution 3D X-ray images, which allowed identification of concealed wildlife. In addition, 33 Tiliqua sp. were scanned using the Olympus Vanta pXRF and the data analysed using previously published machine-learning provenance models. Common blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) were less likely to be wild-caught than shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa). Alongside expert statements, provenance results were provided to enforcement agencies. Following the trial, there was a significant reduction in the number of seized parcels being exported through postal pathways. This trial demonstrates the impact of integrating new technology to support intelligence-led enforcement processes and reduce wildlife trafficking. Full article

Illegal wildlife trade exerts severe pressure on wild parrot populations, and confiscated parrots often end up in rescue centers where they are rehabilitated for release. However, parrots kept in captivity often develop potentially maladaptive behaviors, including attraction to humans. This behavior can increase the risk of recapture. We modified and tested a previously published human aversion training (HAT) protocol designed to reduce human attraction in confiscated Amazona parrots. The HAT consisted of observers either on the ground or on a ladder, offering food to a single individual and then feigning capture of birds that approached or failed to move away from the observer. Twelve Yellow-naped Amazons (Amazona auropalliata) underwent 36 sessions of HAT over a 14-week period. Ten additional birds were held without training as a control. All birds were evaluated through food offer tests (FOTs) before, during, and after the experiment (FOT scores ranged from 1 when the bird approached the observer to 6 when the bird flew away). Over the training period, both groups showed increased aversion to people. However, contrary to our predictions, aversion scores were not higher for the group given aversion training. Aversion training also did not have a strong impact on fate post-release: within a month of release, 40% of the 22 birds were recaptured in a nearby village, including 4 treatment and 5 control birds. Overall, these results suggest that holding these birds in monospecific groups increased aversion to humans. However, the intense training aversion protocol did not further increase the fear of humans in these Amazona parrots, many of which may have been pets for years before entering the program. This study suggests that rehabilitation and release projects should regularly evaluate the impacts of their training programs and improve or eliminate costly protocols that do not achieve stated objectives. Full article

When analyzing the long-term viability of small, declining populations, it is essential to recognize that inbreeding and the erosion of genetic diversity are primarily driven by the effective population size, which is often a fraction of the total census count. The globally endangered Lear’s macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) is a restricted-range species endemic to the Caatinga ecoregion in NE Brazil. This species was only known in captivity due to wildlife illegal trade, until 1978, when a small population close to extinction was discovered in the wild, estimated at ca. 60 individuals in 1983. Conservation efforts have allowed for population recovery in recent decades, reaching a population of ca. 2273 individuals in 2022. Given these drastic population changes, a genetic assessment is important to empower conservation strategies with knowledge about the level of genetic variability, population genetic structure, inbreeding levels, and demographic history. We used a set of eight species-specific microsatellites to provide the first genetic assessment of the wild population of this species by genotyping non-invasive samples (molted feathers) collected in the known breeding and roosting sites of the species. Our results revealed a low effective population size (N_e = 49–80), which represents the main conservation concern. We also observed evidence of past bottlenecks. However, moderate levels of genetic diversity, no evidence of inbreeding, and a wide connectivity across the study area confirm a single population and set the ground for the potential natural recovery of this species and the recolonization of breeding sites across its former range. Full article

Background/Objectives The leopard (Panthera pardus), an apex predator listed in CITES Appendix I and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is undergoing severe population declines driven by habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. Rapid and reliable species and individual identification is critical for conservation and forensic applications, particularly when analyzing highly processed or degraded seized wildlife products, where morphological identification is often impossible. We aimed to develop and validate a robust multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay combined with a short tandem repeat (STR) system for the species-specific detection and individual identification of P. pardus. Methods The qPCR assay (Ppar Qplex) was designed to target a mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cyt b) fragment for species confirmation, a nuclear marker (PLP) for general Feliformia detection and quantification, and an artificial internal positive control (IPC) to monitor PCR inhibition. The assay’s performance was validated for robustness, specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility, utilizing DNA extracted from 30 P. pardus individuals (hair and feces) and tested against 18 related Feliformia species and two outgroups. Individual identification was achieved using a set of 18 STR loci and a sex determination system adapted from previously published Panthera panels. Results Validation demonstrated high specificity for the Ppar Qplex: mitochondrial amplification occurred exclusively in P. pardus samples. The nuclear marker consistently amplified across all 18 tested Feliformia species but not the outgroups. The assay showed high analytical sensitivity, successfully detecting DNA at concentrations as low as 1 pg/µL, with consistent results confirmed across different sample types, replicates, and independent users. Furthermore, the STR multiplex successfully generated 30 unique individual profiles using the 18 polymorphic loci and the sex determination system. Conclusions The combined qPCR assay and STR system provide a fast, sensitive, and highly specific molecular framework for rapid leopard detection, quantification, and individual identification from a wide range of sample types. These tools strengthen forensic capacity to combat wildlife crime and provide critical data to support evidence-based conservation management of P. pardus. P. pardus, an apex predator listed in CITES Appendix I and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is undergoing severe population declines driven by habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. Rapid and reliable identification of seized specimens is therefore critical for conservation and forensic applications, mainly when products are highly processed. We developed and validated a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome b (Cyt b) for species-specific detection. The assay was tested on verified leopard individuals and validated across 18 Feliformia and two outgroup species (Homo sapiens, Canis lupus familiaris). Analytical performance was assessed through robustness, specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility. Mitochondrial amplification occurred exclusively in leopard samples, while nuclear markers amplified consistently across Feliformia but not in outgroup species. The assay’s limit of DNA detection is 1 pg/µL and produces consistent results across replicates, tested types of samples (hair, feces), and independent users, with internal controls confirming the absence of inhibition. In addition, we present the results of successful individual identification using the set of 18 STR loci and the sex determination system. The developed qPCR and STR systems provide a fast, sensitive, and specific solution for leopard detection and quantification, reinforcing forensic efforts against wildlife crime and supporting conservation of P. pardus. Full article

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disease affecting vertebrate species, including primates. Here, we present a case of severe generalized tetanus in a juvenile male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) that was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and admitted to a rehabilitation center in the Republic of Congo. Upon arrival, the chimpanzee presented with deep, contaminated constrictive wounds, trismus, generalized rigidity, and stimulus-induced tonic spasms accompanied by transient apnea, while remaining conscious. A presumptive clinical diagnosis was made, after which integrated care began immediately. This included meticulous wound debridement and irrigation, passive immunization with antitoxin, initiation of active immunization, metronidazole with adjunctive penicillin G, diazepam-based spasm control, multimodal analgesia, and low-stimulation nursing with oxygen supplementation, enteral nutrition, and temporary urinary catheterization. Aerobic wound culture yielded mixed flora, and a Gram stain of the feces showed large Gram-positive rods with terminal spores. Hematology tests revealed leucopenia with neutropenia and severe thrombocytopenia. The spasms ceased by day 5, at which point the diazepam dose was reduced and oral intake was increased. By week 8, he had made a full clinical recovery and was successfully reintegrated into his group. This case supports the use of pragmatic, sanctuary-adapted protocols and systematic vaccination. Full article