Posted AT 4:17 AM EDT on 27/02/07
Genetic maps help unravel black market in ivory
More than 20,000 elephants a year are being slaughtered for their tusks in Africa, a team of scientists reported yesterday, despite a 1989 ban on trading ivory.The researchers say they hope a new technique that uses DNA in contraband tusks to determine their country of origin will identify poaching hot spots and illegal trade routes, and help authorities in African countries crack down on poachers.
Black market ivory is now going for $750 (U.S.
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