KIMWELE, C.N.; WAMBWA, E.; STOKES, M.; MCELROY, D.*; University of Nairobi; University of Nairobi; Western Kentucky University; Western Kentucky University: Molecular forensic identification of East African wildlife game species

Illegal harvesting of game is increasingly a major conservation issue in eastern and southern Africa. The use of so-called �bush meat� has become a key source of food and legal tender, and may contribute significantly to the unofficial economy of many regions. Wildlife populations within and outside protected areas are being greatly impacted by the illegal killing of animals for the bush meat trade. Effective species identification of confiscated raw and processed meat is a major limitation to curtailing illegal trade in endangered and listed species. Here we describe a molecular species identification method. Using two primers, Bov462 and Imp492, we directly sequenced evolutionarily conserved regions of the mtDNA cytochrome B gene from 10 East African species. These species, all of which are under threat due to illegal harvesting, included Grant�s gazelle, Thomson�s gazelle, dik-dik, eland, impala, waterbuck, warthog, plains zebra, Cape buffalo and Masai giraffe. Sequencing of PCR amplicons generated sequences ranging from 375-454 bp. A BLAST search correctly identified all samples to genus, and 8 of the 10 species to species. All samples were easily differentiated from domesticated livestock. Subsequent sequence and PCR-RFLP analysis allowed us to identify and confirm a suite of restriction sites that produced RFLP profiles diagnostic for each species. Our approach provides an accurate and reliable species identification method readily applicable to raw and processed meat. Application of this method will allow law enforcement agencies to help curtail illegal bush meat trade and also enhance their capacity to regulate, manage and monitor legal game meat trades outlets.