Insights from Dr. Daniel Vanĕk
Fighting Wildlife Trafficking with Forensic DNA
Written by: Tara Luther, Promega
Share this article
In a world where the illegal wildlife trade is the third most lucrative black market—after drugs and arms smuggling—the stakes have never been higher. Wildlife trafficking devastates endangered species, disrupts ecosystems, and fuels organized crime. But a quiet revolution is taking place in forensic science, where experts like Dr. Daniel Vanĕk are using DNA technology to fight back.
From developing unique DNA assays to working with law enforcement to crack major cases, Dr. Vanĕk’s work demonstrates how forensic science can disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and provide justice for species on the brink of extinction.
A Career Built on Innovation and Resilience
Dr. Vanĕk’s journey into forensic science is as unconventional as it is inspiring. His career began in 1992 when he joined the Czech police force and became the first head of DNA operations in Czechoslovakia—later the Czech Republic. “I started my forensic career back in ’92, when I joined Czech police,” he explained. “I became the first head of all DNA operations in the Czech Republic.” His work during this time set the foundation for the use of forensic DNA in criminal investigations across the region.
After a decade of leading forensic advancements in his home country, Dr. Vanĕk took his expertise abroad, working for the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “I worked for ICMP, a humanitarian organization mainly sponsored by the United States and Dutch government,” he said. During his three years there, he gained extensive experience working with bones from mass graves, often under challenging and emotionally charged conditions. “I’ve worked with tens of thousands of bones,” he recalled, noting that the protocols he helped develop for degraded human DNA would later prove invaluable in wildlife forensics.
When Dr. Vanĕk returned to the Czech Republic, he established his own private laboratory specializing in ancient and degraded DNA analysis. Over the years, his lab expanded into animal DNA typing, eventually becoming a global leader in the forensic analysis of big cats. “At this moment, we have the biggest database of physical samples and DNA profiles of big cats—almost 1,000 samples,” he said. “That enables us to do more research and be more powerful during cases involving big cats and other endangered species”.
Dr. Vanĕk’s unique career path—from law enforcement to humanitarian work to private research—has given him a rare perspective. “I think my biggest advantage is when I go to court to defend [our results],” he said. “With 30-plus years of experience, I can explain things simply to a jury, but I can also effectively respond to cross-examination when the other side tries to challenge me”.
The Tiger Slaughterhouse Case: A Shocking Example of Wildlife Crime
When Czech authorities raided an illegal tiger slaughterhouse in 2018, it was a wake-up call. The operation revealed a grim reality: tigers, bred and raised in captivity, were being killed for their bones, skins, and other body parts, which were boiled down into “tiger broth” to be sold on the black market.
But Dr. Vanĕk and his team were ready. “We had started preparing for this case two years earlier,” he said. “We knew there was a demand from Czech customs and the Czech Environmental Inspectorate, so we developed the necessary technology in advance.”
Over those two years, his lab refined methods to extract and analyze DNA from big cats, even under extreme conditions. “We created a basic set of STR markers that were highly discriminative for big cats,” he explained. The team also built an extensive reference database of tiger DNA profiles, ensuring they could quickly identify samples when the time came.
When the raid happened, Dr. Vanĕk’s lab processed hundreds of samples collected from the crime scene. “We identified seven individual tigers, plus other protected species,” he said. The DNA analysis proved crucial in linking the seized products to specific animals, providing irrefutable evidence of the slaughterhouse’s activities.
Challenges of Working with Wildlife DNA
Wildlife DNA analysis presents unique challenges. Samples often come from highly degraded or unconventional sources, such as rhino skin, feathers, tinctures, or solid broths made from boiled tiger bones. “Imagine boiling tiger bones for seven days and seven nights to create a solid broth,” Dr. Vanĕk said. “Even then, there are tiny amounts of proteins and DNA that can be used to identify the species.”
Dr. Vanĕk’s expertise in ancient DNA and degraded samples allowed him to tackle these challenges head-on. “I’ve been working with degraded DNA for decades—it’s my daily bread,” he said. However, he noted that every case brings new obstacles. For example, tanning chemicals used on animal skins can alter mitochondrial DNA, requiring innovative methods to isolate and amplify the target sequences.
To overcome these challenges, Dr. Vanĕk’s team developed a suppressor that amplifies animal DNA while excluding human contamination. “It’s the opposite of what you’d normally do in forensic DNA work,” he explained. “But it allows us to focus solely on the species-specific DNA we need.”
Innovating Species Identification
The evolution of species identification techniques has been key to combating wildlife trafficking. While traditional methods like Sanger sequencing remain the gold standard for single-species samples, more advanced methods are required for complex mixtures. “If you’re dealing with something like a tincture that might contain DNA from multiple species, you need massively parallel sequencing or other advanced techniques,” Dr. Vanĕk explained.
His lab has also pioneered innovative approaches such as length polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA and isothermal amplification, which can provide results in minutes. “We’re working on methods that can be used directly in the field,” he said. “It’s about making these tools accessible and practical for real-world use.”
“We’re working on methods that can be used directly in the field,” he said. “It’s about making these tools accessible and practical for real-world use”.
Dr. Daniel Vanĕk
Educating the Next Generation
For Dr. Vanĕk, forensic science isn’t just a career—it’s a passion he shares with students and young scientists around the world. “I’ve been teaching for 30 years, and I love the interaction with students,” he said. Whether he’s lecturing on forensic genetics or supervising thesis projects, Dr. Vanĕk’s goal is to inspire the next generation to innovate and push boundaries in the field.
One of his favorite ways to engage students is by sharing real-world cases, such as the tiger slaughterhouse investigation. “When I talk about animal DNA typing, I always include cases I’ve worked on,” he said. “It fascinates them. They want to know more, and they bring their friends to my lectures. Suddenly, I have more students in the room than I started with.”
Despite the enthusiasm from students, limited resources mean that Dr. Vanĕk can only take on one or two graduate students at a time in his private lab. “Unfortunately, we’re a private laboratory without external governmental funding, so I can only take the best students from my class,” he said. Still, he views this as an opportunity to mentor the most passionate and talented individuals. “It’s some pre-selection, and it helps me see how they interact and solve problems,” he added.
Dr. Vanĕk believes that education is a critical component in the fight against wildlife trafficking. “When students learn about cases like these, they start thinking differently about what forensic science can achieve,” he said. “It’s not just about solving crimes—it’s about protecting the planet.”
The Global Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking
Wildlife trafficking is a global problem, and Dr. Vanĕk hopes his work will inspire similar efforts worldwide. “Every region has its own challenges,” he said. “In Africa, it’s ivory and rhino horn. In Asia, it’s pangolins and tigers. But the technology we’re developing in Prague can be adapted to fight trafficking anywhere.”
Collaboration, he emphasized, is essential. “We need more specialized labs like the ones focusing on ivory in Washington, D.C., or rhino horn in South Africa,” he said. “But we also need funding. Fighting wildlife trafficking isn’t profitable, so it depends on governments and grants.”