engleski

Wildlife Forensic : Step Forward Towards Nature Protection

Basically, there isn’t a reason why the placing of poisoned bait in the countryside should be treated any different than a burglary crime. When such standpoints are made aware of, the use and development of forensic methods in Croatia in the field of nature protection come next. The particularity of Croatian natural resources demands particular forensic methods and techniques. Nature and environment protection experts, as well as people who investigate criminal acts which jeopardise the existence of various flora and fauna representatives, must be informed about the possibility and the need to use such methods. Biological diversity of Croatia, especially the richness of a rare and endangered ornithofauna, just as birds of pray are for instance in some parts of the world extinct species, attracts those who steal eggs and young birds and are engaged in their smuggling and trade. The destruction of natural habitats and the uncontrolled trade of wild animals and plants are among main causes for the rarefaction and risk of extinction of populations and species. That is why wildlife forensics are most often used for the purposes of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which Croatia ratified. It is an international agreement known as Washington Convention aiming at regulating the trade of plants and animals and their products. Forensic genetics with the development of DNA fingerprints concept became one of main tools in prevention of smuggling and illegal trade of plants and animals.Finally, forensic and other specialist techniques are on the way to play an important role in nature protection and should therefore encourage Croatian wildlife protectors to consider using them in order to prevent wildlife crime.

wildlife crime; nature protection; forensic; Croatia

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