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Using Data to Protect Wildlife

Hong Kong is a major hub for international wildlife trade. The Conservation Forensics team’s research is providing data to support efforts to combat and reduce the illegal trade of wild species.

‘Reduction of Illegal Global Wildlife Trade through Novel Conservation Forensics Research’

The team from the School of Biological Sciences, Dr Caroline Dingle, Dr David Baker, Dr Timothy Bonebrake and Professor David Dudgeon, has adopted conservation forensics to provide authorities investigating illegal wildlife trafficking with accurate scientific data to use against traffickers. The team received the University’s Knowledge Exchange Excellence Award 2020 for this project.

Conservation Forensics Helping to Fight Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

Illegal wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative criminal trade in the world and is estimated to generate up to US$20 billion in illicit revenue a year. Millions of animals and plants are traded every year threatening the survival of many endangered species. With more species on the brink of extinction, illegal profits surging and with no sign that the trade is slowing down, HKU School of Biological Sciences has adopted conservation forensics to provide authorities investigating illegal wildlife trafficking with accurate scientific data to use against traffickers.