From confiscation to conservation: Wildlife DNA forensic for species identification of confiscated Felidae in Indonesia

Abstract

Illegal wildlife trade poses a significant threat to Indonesia's biodiversity, especially among its diverse Felidae species (cats). While molecular methods have proven effective for identifying some Felidae species, there remains a gap in comparing these techniques across different endemic Felidae species in Indonesia, particularly in cases involving multiple species in confiscated wildlife products. This study applies DNA forensic techniques to analyze 38 confiscated Felidae samples, identifying four species: Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), leopard (Panthera pardus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Notably, 21 samples identified as Sumatran tigers showed 100 % similarity to the reference sequence, demonstrating the effectiveness of custom-designed primers. The analysis also revealed a diverse range of biological materials, supporting the robustness of DNA forensics in wildlife conservation. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree further confirmed species differentiation with strong bootstrap values. These findings underscore the importance of accurate species identification for prosecuting wildlife crimes and formulating targeted conservation strategies. Despite limitations, including sample size and reliance on existing reference data, the study emphasizes the crucial role of DNA forensics in combating illegal wildlife trade and highlights the need for improved genetic databases. Practical implications include establishing protocols for sample collection, DNA forensic training for law enforcement, and fostering collaboration between forensic laboratories and conservation organizations. Integrating these forensic techniques supports broader conservation goals by enabling targeted enforcement, effective prosecution, and informed conservation planning through accurate subspecies identification.

Keywords: Conservation genetics; Felidae species identification; Illegal wildlife trade; Indonesia; Wildlife DNA forensics.