As 2025 comes to a close, the WFA reflects on a year of growth and meaningful impact across training, education, and research. Through ranger training programmes, student education, and outreach initiatives, the Academy continued to strengthen frontline capacity and support the development of skills essential to combating wildlife crime. The Academy also hosted student interns and welcomed school learners for immersive educational experiences, reinforcing our commitment to building long-term pathways into conservation, forensics, and related professions.

In parallel, WFA formalised a new partnership with Clayton State University to expand global education and research in wildlife forensics, including new study-abroad opportunities for academic credit. WFA representatives also participated in the 2025 Laker Wildlife Initiative Summit in Atlanta, engaging in workshops, field sessions, and a fundraising gala that strengthened international collaboration.

The year further showcased impactful research by WFA affiliate Chandra Finaughty on human trace DNA persistence on wildlife products, alongside the successful delivery of the Wildlife and Wicked Problems Masterclass and Design Thinking Leadership programmes. Collectively, these achievements position WFA strongly as it looks ahead to 2026, with growing collaborations, high demand for training, and continued momentum across all programmes.

We are celebrating some major milestones in wildlife forensic science and global collaboration. This edition introduces the Wildlife Forensic Foundation (WFF), launched by Judge Holly Hughes in Atlanta to bridge the justice gap in wildlife crime by funding ranger training, forensic equipment, and research. A new transatlantic partnership between the WFA and Clayton State University marks the start of the Laker Wildlife Crime Initiative, culminating in the September 2025 Summit and Gala in Georgia. The newsletter also highlights ground-breaking forensic research led by Dr. Devin Finaughty and international interns, including studies on pangolin fingerprints and wildlife decomposition. Finally, it showcases the WFA’s growing global reach, featuring the Academy’s first full student cohort from National Taiwan University - a testament to WFA’s commitment to education, innovation, and international cooperation in the fight against wildlife crime.

The WFA has been buzzing with activity. During our Community Week in March, we brought together partners from around the world to collaborate, share insights, and strengthen efforts in wildlife crime prevention.

We're also committed to educating the next generation, with school visits, public talks, and the launch of the Rhino Rescue game - an interactive way to raise awareness and spark interest in conservation.

In this article, meet the people driving this mission, explore our latest initiatives and courses, and discover how the WFA is shaping the future of wildlife forensics - one learner at a time.

We celebrate the end of another successful and fruitful year for the Academy and wildlife forensics at large. We have made some promising strides towards a second Academy in South Africa, focused on customs training and the prevention of infectious diseases. What’s more, we have expanded our team, met inspiring and ambitious fellow wildlife conservationists and established precious partnerships across the globe. This year's achievements have made us excited about our goals for 2025. Let's reflect on the year gone and take a glimpse at some new adventures that await us in 2025.

Over the past four months, wildlife has frequently been in the global spotlight, with numerous national and international days of celebration, such as World Ranger Day, World Oceans Day, and World Environment Day. We are grateful that the Wildlife Forensic Academy can contribute to these causes daily, thanks to your help and commitment.

Speaking of spotlight…..

We celebrate the conclusion of a successful Community Week in March. The week was filled with inspiring talks, workshops and events. Topics ranged from marine life poaching to zoonotic infectious diseases. Most importantly, we did a lot of catching-up, networking and brainstorming - a fruitful week for our entire community.

The Community Week was followed by our WFA Research Day, which revolved around the main needs in the wildlife forensic field and the opportunities for collaborative research projects.
We wish to thank all who attended and contributed and look forward to continued teamwork.

Read on for more updates on Community Week and other exciting news from the Academy!

As the year draws to a close, the WFA is proud to share some exciting milestones and partnerships. In November, we had the honour of hosting Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, whose visit brought renewed energy to our mission and opened doors to royal collaboration. From engaging with US Homeland Security to new academic partnerships and training programs, the past months have been filled with impactful moments. We’re thrilled to bring you the latest updates and look forward to continuing our shared commitment to protecting wildlife and promoting forensic education worldwide.