Poachers use scientists’ data to help target rare animals

POACHERS are using data from wildlife scientists to target and kill rare species.

Experts have sent out a warning about publishing the location and habitat of endangered animals because of the threat.

Scientists believe their papers, which are increasingly publicly available, are being trawled by criminals wanting to track expensive wildlife.

This call for scientists to keep their information on rare animals secret comes from biologists Professor David Lindenmayer and Dr Ben Scheele, both from Australian National University, in the journal Science.

The authors warn that ‘unrestricted access to species location information is facilitating a surge in wildlife poaching’, with many species at risk.

They give the example of more than 20 newly described reptile species which have been targeted by poachers, putting them under threat of extinction.

These include the Chinese cave gecko, reportedly worth more than £1,500 as a rare, exotic pet on the black market.