WILDLIFE FORENSIC SYMPOSIUM 2027
Advancing Wildlife Forensics Through Collaboration, Innovation and Research
Join researchers, practitioners, students, conservation professionals, law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, forensic scientists, legal experts, policymakers, and industry leaders for the Wildlife Forensic Academy Symposium 2027, taking place in May 2027 at the Wildlife Forensic Academy, Cape Town, South Africa.
Over three days, the symposium will bring together experts from diverse disciplines to share cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, practical case studies, and collaborative approaches to tackling wildlife crime and strengthening wildlife conservation.
3-Day Symposium Programme
The symposium will include:
Two days of scientific presentations, featuring oral and poster presentations from researchers and professionals working across wildlife forensics and related disciplines.
One day of practical workshops, providing hands-on learning and opportunities to engage with specialist techniques, emerging technologies, and current challenges in the field.
An optional Symposium Dinner on the final evening, offering delegates the opportunity to network with colleagues, speakers, and professionals in an informal setting.
Further details on the programme and workshop topics will be announced closer to the event.
Call for Abstracts
We are now inviting abstract submissions for consideration as either an oral (podium) or poster presentation.
We welcome submissions from a broad range of disciplines relevant to wildlife crime, including but not limited to:
Wildlife forensics in resource-constrained areas
Conservation-orientated outcomes of wildlife forensic research
Disease risk from illegal wildlife trade
Successes and failures in law enforcement and prosecutions
Veterinary pathology
Trauma analysis, trauma biomechanics and forensic anthropology/ skeletal biology
Novel techniques
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Abstract Criteria
Abstracts should be 250–300 words
Include all authors and their institutional affiliations
Clearly describe the research or work being presented. While a structure such as Introduction, Methods, Results & Discussion, and Conclusion is recommended where appropriate, this is not a strict requirement
Please indicate whether you wish to be considered for an oral (podium) or poster presentation
The WFA Team will make the final allocation of presentation formats. While applicant preferences will be considered, accepted abstracts may be assigned to either an oral or poster presentation depending on programme requirements and the number of available presentation slots.
Abstract Submissions NOW OPEN
Important Dates
Abstract submissions open
July 2026
Abstract submissions close
September 2026
Notification of outcomes (Abstracts)
December 2026
Symposium
May 2027
Delegate registrations open
TBC
Delegate Registration
Symposium registrations are not yet open.
Registration details, fees, accommodation information, and the full programme will be released in due course. We encourage interested delegates to check this page and our social media platforms regularly for updates.
Join the Conversations
The Wildlife Forensic Symposium provides a unique platform to showcase research, exchange knowledge, build collaborations, and contribute to solutions that address the increasingly complex challenges facing wildlife conservation and wildlife crime.
Whether you are an established professional, early-career researcher, postgraduate student, or practitioner working in a related field, we encourage you to share your work and become part of this multidisciplinary community.