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DNA forensics a vital tool in cracking wildlife crimes
Why in news?
- In November 2017, 23-year-old youth from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal killed a wild animal and posted photographs on a social media platform.
- Analysis by the Zoological Survey of India can identify species and number of individuals killed.
More in news
- samples of the cooked meat brought to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
- A forensic DNA analysis showed that the meat was that of the Asian Palm Civet.
- Schedule II species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Advanced DNA forensics were used to help prosecute wildlife related crimes, have been documented in a recently published ZSI report.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
- Established on 1st July 1916.
- Aims to promote survey, exploration and research leading to the advancement in our knowledge of various aspects of exceptionally rich life of the erstwhile ´British Indian Empire´.
- The survey has its genesis in the establishment of the Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta in 1875. By gradually strengthening its staff and expanding its research program.
Asian Palm Civet
- Asian palm civet is a small viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia.
- Since 2008, it is IUCN Red Listed as Least Concern as it is tolerant of a broad range of habitats.
- It is widely distributed with large populations that in 2008 were thought unlikely to be declining.
Source
The Hindu