EAZA Rhino Campaign Project G: Rhino horn-fingerprinting project

Location: N/a
Species: White (Ceratotherium simum simum), Black (Diceros bicornis minor, Diceros bicornis michaeli, Diceros bicornis bicornis)
Coordinator: Richard Emslie and Rajan Amin
Type: Research
Amount awarded: 5,500 euros

Abstract
Wildlife Investigators and Specialist Police Units dealing with wildlife crimes have indicated it would be very useful to have a forensic technique, which could both identify the species and source location of rhino horn recovered in busts. For this reason, IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group initiated a rhino horn-fingerprinting project.

The initial horn-fingerprinting project could reliably identify the species of horn. The first results were very encouraging. But samples sizes were too small per park in order to be able reliably to determine the source of horn by analysing its chemistry.

The aim of the AfRSG’s horn fingerprinting project is now to complete the final experimental phase of the project and in particular to determine the degree to which one can successfully identify the source of rhino horn as well as to determine the number of horn samples per park needed and the successful discrimination between regions and parks.

These results are to be used to inform a decision (in consultation with representatives on the SADC Rhino and Elephant Security Group) as to whether or not to proceed to full implementation of the method in the field and if so, how many samples should ideally be sourced for each area in the horn database. Clear directions will be given in the final report on exactly how the technique would work in practice. Custom-made software would than be provided in order undertake the species and source determinations in the future.

In addition, being able to source horn recovered in consumer states or illegally in transit would assist with identifying illegal trade routes for rhino horn. If the approach works for rhino horn, then similar approaches could be used for other threatened species such as elephants.

This work is momentarily partially completed. In order to be able to complete the rest of the work additional funding is being requested from Save the Rhinos, the EAZA Rhino Campaign.

Support
Specifically, the funds will pay for: coordinating the collecting, labelling, pre-processing and transport of the samples; coordination with the laboratories; management of the horn-fingerprinting database; carbon and nitrogen analyses; analysis of other elements using a Finegan-Mat-Element-Magnetic-Sector-High-Resolution-Inductively-Coupled-Plasma-Mass-Spectrometer; processing of samples using a pressurised microwave oven to produce sample solutions; and write-up of all the findings.