Scientists in Tanzania have trained rats to help detect illegal wildlife products being smuggled out of the country. The rats have learned to recognize the smell of these items, and can alert their handlers when they find them. The program is still being tested, but the method could help protect some endangered animals.
Posts tagged as “poaching”
Every year, as many as 50,000 elephants in Africa are killed illegally for their ivory tusks. Now scientists have improved DNA methods that allow them to match up tusks, and help track down criminal gangs that are selling the ivory.
Scientists have come up with a high-tech method to help protect endangered sea turtles. Using fake eggs with GPS trackers, researchers were able to track turtle eggs that were stolen and learn the locations of people buying and selling them.
As the coronavirus has limited the movements of tourists and park rangers, African elephants and rhinos are being killed in greater numbers. Now, with money from tourists drying up, it's even harder for governments to protect the animals.