New tusk test could help stop illegal trade in ivory

FORENSIC experts have developed a new way of dating elephant tusks in a bid to stop the illegal trade of ivory, it was revealed yesterday.

Only the sale of antique ivory from before 1947 is permitted in the EU but there is no accurate method of identifying it from modern ivory.

Now a scientist at Edinburgh Zoo has come up with the test which, it could be said, owes its success to the Cold War.

The 1950s saw widespread nuclear weapons testing which caused a rise in the levels of a certain chemical in the atmosphere.

The amount of a carbon isotope known as carbon 14 doubled by 1965 and can be found in the bones and tusks of animals.

If an ivory sample displays a high level of the matter then it proves it came from an animal alive after the introduction of nuclear testing in the 50s and is therefore being sold illegally.

Forensic zoologist Ross McEwing has received funding from the UK government to develop the test which will be rolled out across the EU.

Dr Ewing, a director of the TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, said: "The idea for this first came to me around 18 months ago and, following funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the testing of ivory samples can begin by mid 2010 following a validation study.

"Developing a science-based forensic test to age ivory will hopefully act as a deterrent to those involved in illegal ivory trade as the evidence against them will be more accurate than ever before.

"Although the idea and testing originates in Scotland, it will be made available to all EU countries so we can work together to help protect this endangered species."

Wildlife minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP said: "We're committed to playing our part in fighting the illegal trade in ivory and are delighted to have been involved in this innovative project."