The Wildlife Forensic Academy is located in Buffelsfountain, South Africa, and is the world’s first wildlife forensics academy. At the time I attended the academy, it had been open for only a year. I was part of the second class and was the first American to complete the entire program. During my time there, I experienced in-person lectures, hands-on training, and real-life experiences.

The academy offers a two-week course, a four-week course, and an extended internship. In the two-week course, you will be introduced to a wide range of wildlife crime cases and the methods to investigate them. You will encounter a variety of scenarios, focusing on the challenges and types of crime in South Africa. Throughout my time there, I learned about the local ecology and history and gained valuable survival skills.

I was able to apply what I learned at Waynesburg and expand my understanding of how to correctly identify and document forensic traces and build a crime scene document that I presented in a mock trial. During the two-week course, you learn about the principles of forensic science, such as the integrity of evidence, crime scene documentation, and evidence recovery and analysis, as they pertain to wildlife crime investigations. The academy provides a chance to engage in practical exercises in preservation, documentation, and analysis using the state-of-the-art crime scene facility at Buffelsfountain Game and Nature Reserve, South Africa.

During my time at the academy, I also explored other disciplines that are important to wildlife crime, such as forensic veterinary pathology, injured wildlife management, anti-poaching, and more. I had the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational excursions and activities that enhanced my understanding of the diverse landscapes, organizations, and activities occurring in South Africa.