DNA fingerprinting techniques may enable scientists to determine from which elephant population groups a given specimen of ivory comes. This could enable a licit trade in ivory to flourish while stopping illicit traffic and poaching. Isotope signatures used to determine dietary information from fossil ivory have been successfully applied to modern ivory. A complete ban on ivory is undoubtedly the most effective solution to the poaching problem. However, in view of the determination by the South African states to eventually resume the ivory trade, further development of the techniques for ivory certification seems likely.