Characterization of bone, ivory, Rhino horn and antler to deal wildlife offence cases.

Abstract

Species for this study were selected according to the endangered status of the species and since these products were difficult to identify mostly in processed form. Therefore, attempts were made to characterize bones of tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus), greater one horned rhinoceros (rhinoceros unicornis) horn and antlers of chital (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli). Other than these species mentioned in synopsis, antlers of hog deer (Axis porcinus) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntajak) and ivory of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) have also been characterized for comparison purposes. The present study is an effort to develop methods to characterize these items for conservation of the concern species and objectives of this study are as follows: 1. Determine morphological, crystallographic (XRD & XRF) and DNA characteristics of major bones of tiger and leopard, and 2. Determine morphological, crystallographic (XRD & XRF) and DNA characteristics of rhino horn and antler of chital, sambar and swamp deer species.