Wildlife forensic academy launched to combat wildlife crime

Posted by David Henning on 17 May 2022

South Africa has its first Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA) in the Buffelsfontein Nature Reserve, in the Western Cape.

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Through close co-operation with the University of Florida’s Centre for Forensic Medicine, the WFA intends to provide forensics training for wildlife veterinarians, conservationists and ecologists.

According to WFA co-founder Greg Simpson, most wildlife crime scenes are either trampled or contaminated, which destroys key evidence in building a strong case against crime syndicates.

‘It must be understood that in most cases, wildlife poaching is linked to organised crime,’ Simpson says. ‘Using forensic evidence to bolster a criminal case can help combat poaching due to increased prosecution levels, subsequent financial chain disruptions and reduced repetitive crimes.’

Training is extensive, where students at the academy learn how to analyse evidence from human traces, non-human, chemical and digital traces. ‘We are able to detect, collect and analyse these traces to solve and prevent crime,’ Simpson added.

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