Taking on Wildlife Crime with Science and Innovation
Our friend of the month is Nina Scheffel, a PhD candidate at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Her research explores how innovative technology can help combat wildlife crime. She is also a Friend of the EPI, supporting our initiatives through annual donations. We spoke to Nina about her journey into conservation, her research and the role science can play in protecting elephants.
Please tell us about your fascinating research.
My passion for conservation began with a six-month research placement in South Africa. What started as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of biology and prepare for a career in teaching became a life-changing experience that inspired me to explore the challenges of protecting wildlife. Alongside my work as a high school teacher, I am pursuing research focused on the development of an innovative mobile method for the non-destructive and rapid identification of ivory from Proboscidea; the group of mammals that includes elephants and mammoths, to help prevent wildlife crime. Distinguishing elephant ivory from mammoth ivory and imitation materials can be difficult, especially when ivory has been carved into ornaments or other objects. Although existing forensic methods can provide precise results, they can also be time-consuming and destructive, making them less suitable for routine use in the field. My research investigates whether combining three handheld technologies can provide reliable identification without damaging the material being examined. The aim is to develop a practical approach that could help customs officials, law enforcement agencies and museums identify suspicious items more efficiently, strengthening the implementation of wildlife trade regulations.
What inspired you to get into nature conservation, and specifically to work with elephants?
I have always considered it essential to be out in the field to understand meaningful conservation work and to implement it together with and for local people. After passing my second state examination, I decided to spend six months at the Mogalakwena Research Center in South Africa rather than immediately beginning my career as a high school biology and art teacher. I wanted to deepen my understanding of biology, particularly conservation, so that I could later communicate these topics more vividly to my students.
However, the experience took on a life of its own. For several months, I was surrounded by Africa’s remarkable biodiversity, including African elephants. That time changed me and laid the foundation for my work in conservation, encouraging me to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of humans and wildlife living side by side. After returning to Germany, I wanted to focus more intensively on conservation. A conversation with Dr Stefan Ziegler, then programme director for Asia at WWF Germany, introduced me to the challenges of wildlife crime and the illegal ivory trade. That conversation ultimately inspired the direction of my doctoral research.
What progress have you made so far?
I have established contact with national border authorities and museums and conducted measurements at seven museums across Europe. So far, I have collected data on approximately 200 tusks and carvings, creating a substantial sample for investigating the identification of elephant and mammoth ivory. My doctoral research examines how combining different handheld technologies can help cross-validate results and improve the reliability of species-level identification. A patent application has also been filed.
There is still considerable work ahead, particularly in analysing the data and validating the methods. The next steps include establishing a reference database, developing an online interface to support statistical analysis and automated reporting, and assessing whether the technology could be tested in a customs setting. Ultimately, the goal is to make ivory identification faster, more accessible and more practical for those working to prevent illegal wildlife trade.
What conservation challenges are you hoping to address through your work?
When ivory is processed or carved, visual inspection alone may not provide sufficient evidence to determine its origin or distinguish it from other materials. Reliable identification is therefore important for enforcing trade restrictions and investigating suspicious products. My project aims to help address this challenge by exploring methods that are rapid, cost-effective, non-destructive and suitable for use on-site.Although my research focuses on ivory, I am interested in the wider connections between science, technology and biodiversity conservation. The more effectively we can identify materials from protected species, the better equipped authorities may be to implement wildlife trade regulations.
What motivates you to continue your conservation work alongside your teaching career?
I find it rewarding to solve problems outside my comfort zone in pursuit of environmental goals. The fact that I undertake this work alongside my regular job as a high school teacher reflects my intrinsic motivation to make a practical contribution to nature and species protection. My original focus was on biodiversity more broadly, and the fact that my doctoral research now centres on elephants was more of a happy coincidence than a deliberate choice. I believe all species are interconnected, and protecting biodiversity requires us to understand these relationships and find practical solutions to the challenges facing wildlife. Science helps us better understand the natural world and provides a foundation for effective conservation measures.
What are your hopes for the future of elephant conservation?
I hope to continue developing my research and contribute to more effective ways of identifying wildlife products involved in illegal trade. Beyond ivory, I would like to explore how similar approaches might be applied to other wildlife-derived materials, including horns, antlers, scales and bones. I believe protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility. Wildlife trade is complex and requires effective regulation, scientific knowledge and collaboration across different sectors and countries. We have a responsibility to find and implement solutions that protect threatened species and preserve biodiversity for future generations.
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