Hunting Ivory Smugglers with DNA

Guest: Samuel K. Wasser, PhD, Professor, Biology, University of Washington Poachers kill tens of thousands of African Elephants every year for their tusks. Ivory trade is illegal, and yet the multi-billion dollar industry keeps growing. Authorities are up against some very powerful international crime syndicates. Researchers have discovered that the elephants themselves may be the key to stopping the whole trade at its source. They’re using elephant DNA to pinpoint where  cartels are operating in Africa.