I am here in San Diego attending a two weeks DNA barcoding of bushmeat workshop that is being conducted by Dr. Sarah Burgess-Herbert of the San Diego Zoo Center for Conservation Research. Those attending the workshop are drawn from Kenya (myself), Cameroun and Uganda.

Monitoring illegal bushmeat commerce and enforcing wildlife regulations have proven difficult, because it is often impossible to determine the species of origin of many animal products such as processed filets, hides, and bone. The identification of these products is essential in attempts to evaluate, demonstrate, and litigate illegal bushmeat commerce. This is why the application of an emerging technology known as “DNA barcoding” to the bushmeat crisis is vital.

DNA barcoding provides a method for identifying species from unrecognizable samples of blood, bone, meat, hair, feathers, or feces. This universally applicable specimen identification method will enhance the assessment and enforcement capacity of the relevant national and international laws and regulations, and will thereby contribute to the protection of exploited species.

This project aims to continue our capacity building and training efforts focused on DNA barcoding for species conservation by holding an intensive hands-on training workshop for African conservation professionals working in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Uganda.

The specific aims of this workshop are:
1) to teach, in a laboratory setting, basic molecular genetics techniques and concepts relevant to DNA barcoding;
2) to educate about how DNA barcoding could revolutionize our approach to the bushmeat crisis;
3) to demonstrate that unrecognizable smoked, dried and fresh meat samples can be amplified in a simple lab for sequencing elsewhere;
4) to establish collaborations with individuals and organizations fighting the bushmeat trade in Central Africa;
5) to promote the free use the San Diego Conservation Research genetics field lab in Limbe, Cameroon for DNA barcoding; and,
6) to encourage participants to pass on their knowledge.

Iregi Mwenja

Technorati : Bushmeat, CRES, DNA barcoding, DNA barcoding Workshop, San Diego Zoo