Brooks, M., 1997. Chairman's report: African Rhino Specialist Group. Pachyderm 24: 11-13
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| Location: |
Africa |
| Subject: |
Management |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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The AfRSG has obtained sponsorship from the World Wide Fund for Nature to undertake its horn fingerprinting project. Pilot projects have indicated that trace element and stable isotopic analysis of horn samples provides a chemical signature specific to different locations. The problem to date has been samples from only a limited number of areas have been analysed, and there is a need to increase the number of baseline areas for which horn fingerprints are available. The AfRSG office has therefore initiated the process of obtaining samples of horn for this project from as many key and important populations throughout the continent as possible. The project also seeks to refine the statistical analysis procedures used to discriminate between different areas.
In the most recent rhino horn dealing case in South Africa, the results of stable carbon isotope analysis of the horn in question was presented in court for the first time, and showed that the horn in question was definitely that of a black rhino. With the delay caused by the postponement of this case, it is hoped that additional horn-fingerprinting data obtained from this horn, and results of trace element and other stable isotopic analyses can be analysed to shed light on the likely origin of the horn.
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Chairman's report: African Rhino Specialist Group
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