Conservationists are using a slew of new gadgets to protect Indonesia's wildlife (Source: https://phys.org)Jakarta (VNA) – Non-governmental organisations (NGO) on animal protection inIndonesia are applying high technology to combat trafficking of rare andendangered species.
The NGOs use smartphone applications capable of mapping the routes oftraffickers of species protected by DNA-based barcodes.
Fauna and flora in Indonesia’s tropicalforests, whose biodiversity is one of the richest in the world, are threatenedby the lucrative trade of animals such as orangutans and pangolins.
Technology is probably one of the mostimportant resources to help arrest traffickers, said Matthew Pritchett, amember of an NGO which fights against animal smuggling.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has used computer software to establishtraffickers’ routes and extract data from electronic devices seized fromsuspects.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Animal Rescue Centre (IAR) is examining evidenceusing DNA-based barcodes to identify species.
“If we have animals whose origin is knownand animals found for example in Jakarta, we can compare genetic samples,” saidChristine Rattel, advisor to the IAR programme, adding “We can then trace thehunting areas and determine the routes used for the illegal trade.”
The information generated by the NGOs’application — which contains some 700 species and 2,000 photos — has alreadyallowed authorities in Indonesia and Thailand to investigate traffickingnetworks.
But despite the efforts of conservationists and the help of high technology,the battle remains difficult. Inadequate laws, lack of staff to implementlegislation, and infrequent prosecutions remain the main challenges. Inaddition, they lack the means and scientific knowledge relating to the field.-VNA
The NGOs use smartphone applications capable of mapping the routes oftraffickers of species protected by DNA-based barcodes.
Fauna and flora in Indonesia’s tropicalforests, whose biodiversity is one of the richest in the world, are threatenedby the lucrative trade of animals such as orangutans and pangolins.
Technology is probably one of the mostimportant resources to help arrest traffickers, said Matthew Pritchett, amember of an NGO which fights against animal smuggling.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has used computer software to establishtraffickers’ routes and extract data from electronic devices seized fromsuspects.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Animal Rescue Centre (IAR) is examining evidenceusing DNA-based barcodes to identify species.
“If we have animals whose origin is knownand animals found for example in Jakarta, we can compare genetic samples,” saidChristine Rattel, advisor to the IAR programme, adding “We can then trace thehunting areas and determine the routes used for the illegal trade.”
The information generated by the NGOs’application — which contains some 700 species and 2,000 photos — has alreadyallowed authorities in Indonesia and Thailand to investigate traffickingnetworks.
But despite the efforts of conservationists and the help of high technology,the battle remains difficult. Inadequate laws, lack of staff to implementlegislation, and infrequent prosecutions remain the main challenges. Inaddition, they lack the means and scientific knowledge relating to the field.-VNA
VNA
