Elephant genotypes reveal the size and connectivity of transnational ivory traffickers

Samuel K. Wasser (), Charles J. Wolock, Mary K. Kuhner, John E. Brown, Chris Morris, Ryan J. Horwitz, Anna Wong, Charlene J. Fernandez, Moses Y. Otiende, Yves Hoareau, Zofia A. Kaliszewska, Eunjin Jeon, Kin-Lan Han and Bruce S. Weir
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Samuel K. Wasser: University of Washington
Charles J. Wolock: University of Washington
Mary K. Kuhner: University of Washington
John E. Brown: Homeland Security Investigations
Chris Morris: SeeJ-Africa
Ryan J. Horwitz: University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability
Anna Wong: National Parks Board
Charlene J. Fernandez: National Parks Board
Moses Y. Otiende: Kenya Wildlife Service
Yves Hoareau: University of Washington
Zofia A. Kaliszewska: University of Washington
Eunjin Jeon: University of Washington
Kin-Lan Han: University of Washington
Bruce S. Weir: University of Washington

Nature Human Behaviour, 2022, vol. 6, issue 3, 371-382

Abstract: Abstract Transnational ivory traffickers continue to smuggle large shipments of elephant ivory out of Africa, yet prosecutions and convictions remain few. We identify trafficking networks on the basis of genetic matching of tusks from the same individual or close relatives in separate shipments. Analyses are drawn from 4,320 savannah (Loxodonta africana) and forest (L. cyclotis) elephant tusks, sampled from 49 large ivory seizures totalling 111 t, shipped out of Africa between 2002 and 2019. Network analyses reveal a repeating pattern wherein tusks from the same individual or close relatives are found in separate seizures that were containerized in, and transited through, common African ports. Results suggest that individual traffickers are exporting dozens of shipments, with considerable connectivity between traffickers operating in different ports. These tools provide a framework to combine evidence from multiple investigations, strengthen prosecutions and support indictment and prosecution of transnational ivory traffickers for the totality of their crimes.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01267-6

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