Elephant DNA Helps Catch Poachers

hookedup writes "By mapping the genetic profile of elephant groupings across the African continent, a team of researchers can verify where siezed ivory originated, and alert police to poaching hot spots. The study indicated that 50 percent of the samples tested were accurately located within 300 miles and 80 percent were accurate to within less than 600 miles. While still not a proactive approach, it still is a helpful tool in catching poachers."

Comments

sad

[real_smiff]

sad that this story gets 2 replies, when the latest MS/linux/media player scandal gets a hundred in less time. arg, what else can i say really. i find the preservation of an ancient and intelligent creature just a wee bit more interesting, and yet there seems to be nothing anyone can do about it. from what i know the solution to poaching can only be economic/legislative, not scientific/technical. and the people who have the power don't seem to care enough. so so sad. anyone got recent figures on elephant populations?

Re:sad

[Anonymous Coward]

Well there's the obvious issue of exposure - one's front page news, the other isn't - but there's also the scope for discussion: the media player thing is a good talking point, whereas this is just a "cool to know".