• Forensics – The Missing Link In Fighting Wildlife Crime

    Forensics – The Missing Link In Fighting Wildlife Crime

    The Wildlife Forensic Academy is the first of its kind to mobilise forensic knowledge to help combat wildlife crimes. The focus of our training is to expertly analyse wildlife crime scenes and safeguard forensic evidence to increase prosecution levels.

    SEE WHAT WE DO
  • Hands-on Forensics Training and Internships In South Africa

    Hands-on Forensics Training and Internships In South Africa

    The Wildlife Forensic Academy’s experience lab is purposefully built around learning and experiencing what happens in the field. Every stage of a professional forensic investigation is simulated, from handing a crime scene to presenting evidence in the court of law.

    SEE OUR TRAININGS

  • Flexible Online Courses

    The Wildlife Forensic Academy offers immediately available, self-paced learning modules for all you want to learn about wildlife forensics and conservation, conveniently accessible in bite-size modules.

    SEE OUR ONLINE COURSES
  • WFA Corporate Experiences

    Use Our Facilities

    The Wildlife Forensic Academy’s 800m2 experience lab in South Africa is an inspiring space and we want to share its story far and wide. On request we make our unique space available for school trips, corporate events, business breakaways and tourist visits.

    GET IN TOUCH

We Cater To

  • WFA Wildlife Forensic Trainings for Students

    Students

    Study Beyond The Classroom with Hands-On Trainings

    SEE OFFERINGS
  • WFA Wildlife Forensic Trainings for Professionals

    Wildlife Professionals

    Highly Relevant In-Person and Online Trainings

    SEE OFFERINGS
  • Wildlife Conservation Experience

    Wildlife Tourists

    A Life-Changing Conservation Experience

    SEE OFFERINGS
  • WFA Corporate Organisations

    Corporate Organisations

    Your Company’s Environmental Stewardship

    SEE OFFERINGS

What Makes Us Unique

WFA - The World's First Wildlife Forensic Academy

WORLD’S FIRST

We are the first to offer forensic training entirely focussed on fighting wildlife crime through on-site experiential learning and online courses.

WFA Experience Lab

EXPERIENCE LAB

We train by doing. In our Experience Lab every stage of a professional forensic investigation is simulated, from crime scene to court of law.

WFA South Africa

LOCATION

Our 800m2 forensic experience lab is located in the serenity of Buffelsfontein, a private wildlife reserve just an hour outside Cape Town.

Welcome To The Academy

Our Academy is the first of its kind wildlife forensic training centre. Our aim is to mobilise wildlife forensic knowledge to increase wildlife crime prosecution levels. For some, our forensic training will be invaluable in their daily work as vet, ranger, policeman or prosecutor.

For others it will provide a deeper knowledge and understanding of the indispensable role of forensic science in wildlife conservation. But to all, our courses will be unforgettable learning experiences that will inspire and mobilise people and businesses to do everything in their power to protect and restore our planet’s biodiversity.

Internships for Students

The Wildlife Forensic Academy provides internships to students who wish to extend their experience beyond a in-person training in South Africa.

In addition to be able to intern at the Wildlife Forensic Academy itself, WFA also partners with a variety of organisations who have a need for interns in the field of Wildlife Forensics, Project Management, Communication and Law Enforcement.

Scholarships for Local Rangers

The Wildlife Forensic Fund supports The Wildlife Academy in mobilising knowledge, expertise, capacity and innovation to fight wildlife crime. WFF raises funds for research, organises seminars and grants scholarships to students and rangers to learn about wildlife forensics.

  • 'My two weeks at the Academy have taught me so much about wildlife crime and how big the problem really is. This was truly an amazing experience and something I will never forget. I will certainly continue to help fight these terrible wildlife crimes.'

    ROBIN VAN DEN BROEK
    Applied Sciences Students, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

  • ‘This is by far one of the most remarkable training interventions I have witnessed in a very long time. Your expert guidance, informative context, specialist inputs, legislative guidance, world class facility, superb hospitality left a most memorable footprint and we applaud you for a sterling effort.’

    MARTIN ALBERTUS
    Cape Nature Management

  • 'The special thing about this course is that it covers the whole process, starting with finding a poached animal and ending with taking the case to court. You realize that the evidential value of your findings really make a difference in court.'

    NOA VAN HAANDEL
    Forensic Research Student, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

  • 'When I put on my WFA button up shirt, I smile and reminisce of my time spent with an incredible and talented group of industry professionals. A time where both curiosity and education fuelled my adventurous spirit, my identity was clear, and I felt completely aligned to my life’s purpose. It is a reminder that I am part of something greater and that the challenges we face in wildlife conservation do not impact and affect one person, location, culture or species and therefore, cannot be tackled by one person or set of persons; it is through collaborative efforts, diverse perspectives, and by applying a multitude of expertise and skillsets, that we can and will have the greatest opportunities for success. The WFA in South Africa represents just that – an opportunity for people from all backgrounds, home-countries, of all ages, to come together and unite in a common goal: to fight wildlife crime in Africa and beyond.'

    MANDY EYRICH
    University of Florida