{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,3]],"date-time":"2026-03-03T17:14:40Z","timestamp":1772558080688,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":72,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,26]],"date-time":"2026-02-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1772064000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Taronga Conservation Society Foundation"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The illegal wildlife trade is a global problem that continues to harm individuals, wildlife populations, ecosystems, and humans at an increasing rate. While efforts are underway globally to address the issue through a coordinated approach, the testing of new technologies in real-world settings remains limited. Here, we present the outcomes of an opportunistic Australian trial that tested two machine-learning tools during real-world seizures, including associated radiation-exposure safety data. During the seven-month trial, 116 animals were intercepted, representing reptiles and crustacea across five Genera: Tiliqua, Egernia, Oedura, Chelodina, and Euastacus. Of the 18 seized consignments, totalling 48 parcels, scanned through the RTT\u00ae110 CT X-ray baggage scanner, automated AI detected smuggled wildlife 56% of the time using the most successful algorithm (AT.3), and captured 48 high-resolution 3D X-ray images, which allowed identification of concealed wildlife. In addition, 33 Tiliqua sp. were scanned using the Olympus Vanta pXRF and the data analysed using previously published machine-learning provenance models. Common blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) were less likely to be wild-caught than shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa). Alongside expert statements, provenance results were provided to enforcement agencies. Following the trial, there was a significant reduction in the number of seized parcels being exported through postal pathways. This trial demonstrates the impact of integrating new technology to support intelligence-led enforcement processes and reduce wildlife trafficking.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani16050731","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,26]],"date-time":"2026-02-26T13:58:03Z","timestamp":1772114283000},"page":"731","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Detect and Trace: An Australian Field Trial Using Machine-Learning Tools to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Phoebe","family":"Meagher","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia"},{"name":"Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0876-1512","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Joseph","family":"Cincotta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia"},{"name":"Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ha Tran Hong","family":"Phan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Rapiscan Systems Ltd., Homebush, Sydney, NSW 2041, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5956-501X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kaikai","family":"Shen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Rapiscan Systems Ltd., Homebush, Sydney, NSW 2041, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Brad","family":"Dolman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water, Environmental Crime Section, Gadigal Country, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6807-0142","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kate J.","family":"Brandis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Daniele","family":"Pelliccia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instruments & Data Tools Pty Ltd., Vermont, VIC 3133, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Christopher M.","family":"Poole","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiation Analytics Pty Ltd., Sunshine Coast, QLD 4551, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kimberly","family":"Vinette Herrin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2011-9626","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Justine K.","family":"O\u2019Brien","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia"},{"name":"Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Brendan E.","family":"Allman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Rapiscan Systems Ltd., Homebush, Sydney, NSW 2041, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6692-5271","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Debashish","family":"Mazumder","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Patricia S.","family":"Gadd","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Vanessa","family":"Pirotta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia"},{"name":"Rapiscan Systems Ltd., Homebush, Sydney, NSW 2041, Australia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"62","article-title":"A comparative analysis of wildlife trafficking in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom","volume":"2","author":"Wyatt","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. 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