New wildlife forensic science center opened

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) -- Thailand opens a new wildlife forensic science center in its move for wildlife conservation as it is tasked for DNA testing on domesticated elephants to prevent smugglers from using their identities to illegally register wild elephants. The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Fauna’s center houses a laboratory and other facilities for wildlife conservation efforts, said Kanita Ouithavon, head of wildlife forensic science unit. The DNP Wildlife Forensic Science Unit’s first major task is to perform DNA checks on over 3,500 domesticated elephants nationwide to verify their identities and origins. It is a renewed effort to recheck the country’s elephant population following the issuance of an order under Article 44 of the interim constitution last September. All individuals and agencies are required to register the elephants to help close a loophole involving the illegal smuggling of wild elephants and those incorrectly registered as domesticated elephants. Ms Kanita said the center equipped with advanced equipment and expertise performed its best in DNA checks with transparency and strict regulations. She said the department had collected blood samples and animal tissue, among other samples, to extract the animals’ DNA and had finished doing that with 1,261 elephants. Domesticated elephants in Thailand have been registered with the Interior Ministry using identification documents, which are previously based on the animals’ marks and have resulted in a loophole leading to exploitation. There are some incidents of conflicts on origins of elephants suspected to have been captured in the wild. (TNA)