Good morning from Cape Town!
I am new to this community but hopefully I start strong with a opportunity that would be interesting for some of you. My name is Clelia Venturin and I have recently started working for the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA), in Cape Town (South Africa).
WFA is the world's first student training institution dedicated to equipping students and professionals to tackle the wicked problem of wildlife crime. We do that by training students in conservation, forensic science, law, business, conservation and veterinary on how to handle wildlife crime scenes. We offer highly practical short courses and internships that equip students with hands-on skills in wildlife crime scene management, forensic investigation, veterinary forensics and conservation challenges. The courses also include visits to local NGOs, such as a cheetah rehabilitation centre and a sea bird sanctuary.
The facility is located on a private nature and game reserve which allow the students to enjoy beautiful close up views of animals in between their classes. While the facility itself provides students with mock crimes science that include taxidermied animals, a house, a vehicle and a container, as well as a forensic laboratory and a court room.
Courses at WFA - 2025/2026
Our courses combine classroom and field-based training at our forensic facility and game reserve. They are designed for students in forensic science, veterinary medicine, conservation, biology, criminology and related disciplines.
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Wildlife Forensic Courses (1–4 weeks): Training in forensic investigations, wildlife crime scene analysis, veterinary forensics, animal handling, and the impacts of wildlife crime on biodiversity, health and economics.
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Veterinary Forensics (1–2 weeks): For veterinary and para-veterinary students, focusing on crime scene investigation, forensic necropsy, toxicology, and survival techniques.
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Avian Forensics (2 weeks): Bird-focused forensics, including post-mortems, crime scene investigation and courtroom procedures to combat illegal poaching and trafficking.
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Wildlife & Wicked Problems Masterclass (2 weeks): Multidisciplinary challenges exploring the environmental, economic and social dimensions of wildlife crime.
See more at: Website | Instagram
Internships
We also host internships of up to six months, ideal for students seeking in-depth, practical experience in wildlife forensics and conservation.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you would like additional details, such as course brochures, or if you have any questions!
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment#EducationandTraining#LawsandPublicPolicy------------------------------
Clelia Venturin
Outreach
Wildlife Forensic Academy
GA
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