Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal - A molecular forensic approach

Dibesh Karmacharya; Adarsh M Sherchan; Santosh Dulal; Prajwol Manandhar; Sulochana Manandhar; Jyoti Joshi; Susmita Bhattarai; Tarka R Bhatta; Nagendra Awasthi; Ajay N Sharma; Manisha Bista; Nawa R Silwal; Pravin Pokharel; Rom R Lamichhane; Netra Sharma; Bronwyn Llewellyn; Claudia Wultsch; Marcella J Kelly; Digpal Gour; Lisette Waits; Jean-Marc Hero; Jane Hughes

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201639

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Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal - A molecular forensic approach

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Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal - A molecular forensic approach

Dibesh Karmacharya, Adarsh M Sherchan, Santosh Dulal, Prajwol Manandhar, Sulochana Manandhar, Jyoti Joshi, Susmita Bhattarai, Tarka R Bhatta, Nagendra Awasthi, Ajay N Sharma, …

PLoS One, Vol.13(8), e0201639

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201639

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Abstract

Tiger (Panthera tigris) populations are in danger across their entire range due to habitat loss, poaching and the demand for tiger parts. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an endangered apex predator with a population size estimated to be less than 200 in Nepal. In spite of strict wildlife protection laws, illegal trade of tiger parts is increasing; and Nepal has become one of the major sources and transit routes for poached wildlife parts. Identification of wildlife parts is often challenging for law enforcement officials due to inadequate training and lack of available tools. Here, we describe a molecular forensic approach to gain insight into illegally trafficked tiger parts seized across Nepal. We created Nepal's first comprehensive reference genetic database of wild tigers through the Nepal Tiger Genome Project (2011-2013). This database has nuclear DNA microsatellite genotype and sex profiles, including geo-spatial information, of over 60% (n = 120) of the wild tigers of Nepal. We analyzed 15 putative cases of confiscated poached tiger parts and all were confirmed to be of tiger. Ten samples were identified as male and five were female. We determined probable geo-source location for 9 of the 14 samples with 6-8 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci using inferences from four different statistical assignment methods. Six samples were assigned to Bardia National Park and one of these was an exact match to a female tiger previously profiled in our fecal DNA reference database. Two tiger samples were assigned to Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and one to Chitwan National Park. We are unable to definitively assign five tiger samples which could be offspring dispersers or might have come from tiger population outside of Nepal. Our study revealed that the western region, particularly Bardia National Park, is a poaching hotspot for illegal tiger trade in Nepal. We present feasibility of using molecular forensic based evidence to incriminate criminals in a court of law in the fight against wildlife crime.

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Title: Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal - A molecular forensic approach
Authors: Dibesh Karmacharya (Author) - Griffith University
Adarsh M Sherchan (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Santosh Dulal (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Prajwol Manandhar (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Sulochana Manandhar (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Jyoti Joshi (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Susmita Bhattarai (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Tarka R Bhatta (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Nagendra Awasthi (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Ajay N Sharma (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Manisha Bista (Author) - Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Nawa R Silwal (Author) - Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Nepal
Pravin Pokharel (Author) - Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Nepal
Rom R Lamichhane (Author) - Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Nepal
Netra Sharma (Author) - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Nepal
Bronwyn Llewellyn (Author) - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Nepal
Claudia Wultsch (Author) - American Natural History Museum, United States
Marcella J Kelly (Author) - Virginia Tech, United States
Digpal Gour (Author) - University of Idaho, United States
Lisette Waits (Author) - University of Idaho, United States
Jean-Marc Hero (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Jane Hughes (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: PLoS One, Vol.13(8), e0201639; 16
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201639
ISSN: 1932-6203
Copyright note: Copyright This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451387202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology