Wildlife workers are being taught about forensic criminology so they're better equipped to deal to with the abuse and trafficking of animals.
Vets and scientists from across Australasia are attending workshops at Auckland Zoo this week, some of which include the reconstruction of wildlife crime scenes.
Landcare Research geneticist Diane Gleeson says new DNA sampling provides a way of identifying dogs that have killed kiwis.
Animal pathologist John Cooper says wildlife workers need to know how to deal with the scene of an incident so any evidence they retrieve is robust enough to stand up in court.
Organisers say the week-long workshop and symposium is the first of its kind in Australasia.
