Edinburgh scientists help convict rhino smuggler

Edinburgh scientists from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network were recognised for their efforts this week after they provided crucial genetic evidence in a smuggled rhino horn case which resulted in conviction.

On Tuesday 5 October, Donald Allison was given a one year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle the horn. The rhino horn, which had been confiscated at Manchester Airport in June 2009, was analysed in order to determine the species of animal it had come from and more importantly which zoo the rhino belonged to.

Edinburgh scientists were then able to match a blood sample with the DNA of the rhino horn and found that it had belonged to an old African white rhino called Simba who had died at Colchester Zoo.

Dr Ross McEwing stressed that evidence provided by scientific techniques can prove vital to investigators: “When dealing with DNA profiles, we can generate very powerful results. Just like with humans, a rhino DNA profile allows trace samples to be matched back to the source individual. So when we were approached to help with this case we were confident that we could provide investigators with the proof they needed. We are delighted that our work has helped lead to a conviction and it proves once again that forensic genetics is an important weapon in the fight against wildlife crime.”

The trade of any rhino parts is prohibited by law, but the UK Border Agency found that rhino horns can be sold illegally for up to £60,000 per kilo. This horn had been intended for China's medicine market, from where it is distributed in powder form worldwide in order to help cure a number of illnesses. Rhino horn is also marketed as a cure for cancer.

“Last year there were 106 successful convictions for wildlife-related crimes in the UK, double the number in the previous year” says Species Policy Officer Heather Sohl.

“It’s clear that the illegal wildlife trade is still a major problem here, and there are proven links between wildlife crime and organised criminal groups, with the profits often funding other serious offences.”

Numbers of African white rhinos are decreasing as a result of poachers, however with the help of advances in science technology, criminals are now being brought to justice.