{"id":72944,"date":"2016-07-13T07:53:21","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T05:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/rhodis-rhino-dna-database-puts-poachers-in-the-cross-hair\/"},"modified":"2016-07-13T07:53:21","modified_gmt":"2016-07-13T05:53:21","slug":"rhodis-rhino-dna-database-puts-poachers-in-the-cross-hair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/rhodis-rhino-dna-database-puts-poachers-in-the-cross-hair\/","title":{"rendered":"RhODIS Rhino DNA database puts poachers in the cross-hair"},"content":{"rendered":"

RhODIS Rhino DNA database puts poachers in the cross-hair<\/a>: <\/p>\n

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Sampling kits being used in the field. Photo: The Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the University of Pretoria<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Onderstepoort Veterinary\u00a0Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the University of Pretoria has developed a\u00a0ground-breaking technique to collect and catalogue DNA from rhinos and rhino\u00a0horn which could lead to more\u00a0convictions of poachers and reduce rhino poaching\u00a0in Southern Africa.

Known as\u00a0RhODIS, Rhino DNA Index System, the database stores the DNA, the unique genetic\u00a0\u2018fingerprint\u2019 of\u00a0every sampled rhino or horn. The database enables\u00a0investigators to link poachers to crime scenes, to rhino which\u00a0has been harmed\u00a0or confiscated horn, with other evidence. \u201cThe RhODIS is similar to the human\u00a0DNA database\u00a0used by police and the American Combined DNA Indexing System\u00a0(CODIS),\u201d advises project manager Dr Cindy\u00a0Harper. \u201cWe take a tiny amount of\u00a0DNA, less than 20mg of horn is needed, and this could be used as evidence in\u00a0court.\u00a0To date we have compiled more than 200 forensic reports based on our data, and\u00a0had six successful high-profile convictions.\u201d

As one example, the RhODIS\u00a0database helped identify the origin of confiscated horn from a Vietnamese\u00a0trafficker less than six weeks after the rhinoceros was poached in the Kruger\u00a0National Park.
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RhODIS, currently holds the\u00a0DNA of more than 20,000 rhinos in Africa and it\u2019s rapidly growing.\u00a0\u00a0SAPS\u00a0investigators, prosecutors, Green\u00a0Scorpions, veterinarians and wildlife officials have been trained on the\u00a0collection of DNA to ensure correct collection. \u201cThe collection and handling of\u00a0samples for forensic investigation\u00a0needs to be done meticulously in order to\u00a0comply with chain-of\u2013custody requirements,\u201d comments Harper.

Government and international backing<\/b>
Dr Cindy Harper and her team\u00a0began their work in 2009, and in 2012 the South African government passed a\u00a0legislation stating that all captured rhinos and horns should be sampled and\u00a0sent to VGL for inclusion in the\u00a0database.

Through Dr Cindy Harper\u2019s\u00a0advocacy work in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Africa Rhino\u00a0Program, RhODIS is gaining international recognition. The system and database\u00a0is formally recognised by\u00a0the\u00a0Convention\u00a0on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and IUCN African\u00a0Rhino\u00a0Specialist Group and all major African Rhino range states.

Sample collection kits<\/b>
Three types of sample\u00a0collection kits have been created: a forensic kit for recovering DNA from\u00a0poached\u00a0animals, a routine kit for when a rhino is relocated, notched or\u00a0undergoes any intervention and a horn kit\u00a0designed to collect DNA from\u00a0recovered horn. \u201cThe database also holds DNA samples from weapons and\u00a0clothing\u00a0from suspected poachers, evidence that can link suspects to specific poaching\u00a0incidents,\u201d adds Harper.

Making use of tech<\/b>
Working alongside the\u00a0database, eRhODIS is a smartphone app that has been developed to provide\u00a0guidance for\u00a0users of the sampling kits to streamline collection and\u00a0submission. \u201cWe wanted to ensure the data collected in the\u00a0field is accurate\u00a0and immediately available to the authorities,\u201d adds Dr Harper.<\/p>\n

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RhODIS, currently holds the DNA of more than 20,000 rhinos in Africa and it\u2019s rapidly growing. Photo: The Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the University of Pretoria<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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Dr. Cindy Harper Photo: The Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the University of Pretoria<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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