Scientists are using information gleaned from both illegal ivory art and elephant dung to provide clues that could help save the lives of pachyderms that are being slaughtered for their tusks in Africa.
Samples from a 4.5 million dollar (£3.2 million) illegal ivory seizure in New York are being analysed to determine where and when the elephants were killed to create the carvings.
A scientist from Columbia University will use radioactive carbon dating to determine when the elephants died.
The ultimate goals are to raise public awareness of the plight of elephants and help law enforcement and policymakers shut down the ivory market.
