Newsletter: 3rd Edition
WFA Featured on CNN: Call to Earth
On the 11th of July, the WFA was featured in CNN’s “Call to Earth”. The article and accompanying video material shot at the Academy explain what we do and the relevance of our work for society and the natural world. We are proud to be represented as experts in the field of wildlife forensics via this worldwide platform. We hope publications like these will contribute to raising awareness on the severity of wildlife crime and support initiatives, like the WFA, who are committed to fighting it.
Please share the message with your network!
Winners of the NatureFIRST Forensic Toolkit competition
In February, the WFA and Nature FIRST hosted a competition for students to design a CSI-Wildlife Forensic Toolkit. On the 5th of July, participants pitched their ideas at the Forensic Connects Symposium at Saxion University.
Tommy and Natalia from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam emerged victorious. With their win they get to attend a course at the WFA! We are looking forward to hosting you. Tommy and Natalia’s toolkit is organised and complete. It includes 6 protocols for sampling different types of material, such as plant and bloodstain samples. Besides that, the toolkit includes 2 protocols explaining how to investigate a crime scene. Lastly, the toolkit also provides protocols for responding in different types of weather conditions, such as rainy weather. The detail and effort that has gone into their design is impressive. It has been great to see the passion for wildlife forensics in all participating students.
Curious about the contents of the toolkit, and how to work with it? Check out the video linked here.
The competition was organised in cooperation with Avans Hogeschool, the University of Staffordshire, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
Interview with Sandra Hauwert from the National Office of the Dutch Public Prosecutors
Hi, my name is Sandra Hauwert and I will join the Wildlife Forensic Academy from September until the end of January for a secondment. My project is part of the high potential programme of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety. Currently, I work as a board room advisor for the National Office of the Dutch Public Prosecutors. I’m looking forward to my time at the WFA and I can’t wait to start!
Can you explain how your job at the Ministry overlaps with the WFA?
Sandra: “Contributing to fighting crime is what I have been doing in different roles in the past 12 years of my career. My main focus has been on tackling financial and organised crime. Wildlife crime is a new field for me; however, it is (of course) related to the fields I have been working in.
How will your project contribute to WFA’s mission of fighting wildlife crime?
“During my secondment, I will contribute to the expansion of the WFA. I will start with a market analysis to figure out what the worldwide training offer is with regard to wildlife crime and border control/security. I will help strengthen the network in this field and I will hopefully be able to contribute to the development of a training curriculum.”
After your report is finished, how will the results be used to combat wildlife crime and by whom?
“My report will be input for the development of a training curriculum on wildlife crime and border control/security, aimed at, for example, employees of worldwide customs organisations.”
What aspects of your work at the WFA make you proud?
“I’m really proud of the fact that I can join the WFA and learn more about the important work that the organisation is doing. Wildlife crime is important to fight and I can’t wait to contribute.”
Developments of the new Academy at the Waterberg reserve
Collaboration with the Waterberg Nature Conservancy to realise a second Wildlife Forensic Academy are continuing successfully.
We aspire to focus the teachings at the new facility on wildlife forensics and border security. Indeed, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has recently released a report showing the need for increased training in wildlife trafficking for border control officials. The report states that transnational organised crime groups are significant players in wildlife markets, hence the need for more effective border control on illegal wildlife trade.
Our WFA team feels empowered to develop and offer in-depth training at the second Academy. The facility is larger than our original academy at Buffelsfontein, and has more classroom spaces to allow for specific training related to border security.
Stay tuned for further developments and don’t hesitate to contact us for collaborations or to express your interest!
High level visit Belgium Delegation
A delegation from the Erasmus University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Belgium (our first client) will pay a visit to Cape Town and the Academy. The mission is led by the General Director and includes key members such as the Director of the Department of Healthcare, Design and Technology, a researcher from the Department and the Head of the programme Multimedia and Creative Technology. Beforehand, we will receive an invitation to visit the Erasmus University in order to prepare the visit together with the delegation.
Meet us there!
In the upcoming months, the WFA will attend several exciting events and meetings to promote our cause and to extend our network:
4-5 September - Homeland Security summit in Washington; focused on wildlife trafficking and border control
12-13 December - Two-day summit in Atlanta for police officers and university students
October - Staffordshire University conference
November - Meetings with the London Police
Course updates
Wildlife and Wicked Problems Masterclass
The first multidisciplinary course will take place at the WFA in October.
10 students will participate and learn how to solve deep-rooted problems in wildlife crime on the basis of 5 “pillars”: law, business and leadership, forensics, global health, and veterinary sciences.
Can’t wait to join this forward-thinking way of learning? Good news, there are two cohorts starting in 2025:
- 31st of March
- 22nd of September
The course will consist of a 2-week online programme, followed by a 2-week training at the WFA in South Africa. The online section will include state-of-the-art resources, such as e-learnings, podcasts, and videos.
To sign up for future courses, click here!
Avian Forensic Course
We are pleased to announce the launch of yet another unique course, focusing on bird-related crimes. With huge numbers of poached and illegally trapped birds worldwide every year, it is essential to train professionals in avian forensics. This comprehensive course will cover critical issues such as mass poisoning, use of body parts for traditional medicine and the exotic pet trade.
Throughout this two-week course, participants will explore a range of topics, including bird morphology, poisoning and human-wildlife conflict. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to visit a national park and a bird rehabilitation centre, learn about poaching techniques, and gain hands-on experience in crime scene management, post-mortem examinations, and courtroom procedures from WFA experts.
Spaces for this unique course are limited and will be available from early 2025. Want to be among the first to access the Avian Forensics course? Applications will open soon, so stay tuned for more information!