Illegal trade of obscured bear parts: A case study of identifying the suspected bear gall bladders

Abstract

Emerging illegal trade of bear bile and body parts is a threat to the wild populations of Asian bear species. Many times similar products mimicking bear gall bladders are sold in the markets, and consumers often fooled as they purchase fake products. The present case study was undertaken to suggest the authenticity of the confiscated gall bladders suspecting to be originated from Asiatic black bears and seized by the law enforcement under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India. Genomic DNA was extracted from three seized gall bladders, and DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genes, i.e.12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA were generated using the universal primers. Interestingly, two gall bladders showed 100% similarity with Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) and one with the Cattle (Bos indicus). This indicates the proliferating demand of bear gall bladders in the grey market and in the lack of appropriate supply, poachers kill any species readily available (often domesticated species), extract their gall bladders and sell them to the illegal grey market. This case study exhibits the importance of DNA database in deciphering species identity of gall bladders from the morphologically similar parts. Keywords: Wildlife forensics, Bear gall bladder, Species identification, 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, Bos taurus, Rusa unicolor