Conservation biologist Dr. Samuel Wasser will discuss the serious threat to African elephants and the scientific methods used to save them at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Kay White Hall.

Roughly 50,000 African elephants are now being killed each year from a population of fewer than 500,000 animals, driving these magnificent animals toward extinction.

Poaching is a major organized crime, with wildlife trade forming the fourth-largest type of transnational crime.

Wasser pioneered a method to extract DNA from ivory, and he can compare it to a genetic map, pinpointing where the contraband originated, which directly informs policing and policy.

Wasser directs the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology. He previously served at the Smithsonian, and his research is supported by numerous organizations, including the United Nations, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and INTERPOL.

Tickets are sold at Heron’s Nest, VCA and vashoncenterforthearts.org.