A narrative picture story, essay, sequence, or series that increases the understanding and appreciation for science or the natural world. Studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer are not eligible.
Outside the South African city of Cape Town lies a unique institution dedicated to combatting wildlife crime. Launched in 2022, the Wildlife Forensic Academy, which is the first of its kind in the world, aims to equip rangers and other environmental law enforcement officers with the skills they need to collect the crucial forensic evidence required to successfully prosecute poachers.
The academy's founders hope that by using ultra-realistic, immersive wildlife crime scenarios they will be able to both train and inspire the next generation of wildlife crime forensics experts. With its own chemical lab, a courtroom for mock trials and several fake crime scenes, the school trains its students on every step of the process from finding clues to processing the evidence to presenting in court.
Wildlife crimes tend to take place far from witnesses or CCTV cameras, meaning the need for forensic evidence is paramount. Yet currently, few rangers or wildlife crime law enforcement officers have the skills to properly identify and process forensic evidence.
Globally, the illegal trade in wildlife is worth as much as $20 billion per year according to Interpol. South Africa alone has lost more than 8000 rhinos to poachers in the past decade. Yet only a tiny fraction of poaching cases ever make it to court, usually due to the lack of a suspect or the lack of usable evidence. The Wildlife Forensic Academy, which is now looking to expand into several other African countries, is determined to change that.
Outside the South African city of Cape Town lies a unique institution dedicated to combatting wildlife crime. Launched in 2022, the Wildlife Forensic Academy, which is the first of its kind in the world, aims to equip rangers and other environmental law enforcement officers with the skills they need to collect the crucial forensic evidence required to successfully prosecute poachers.
The academy's founders hope that by using ultra-realistic, immersive wildlife crime scenarios they will be able to both train and inspire the next generation of wildlife crime forensics experts. With its own chemical lab, a courtroom for mock trials and several fake crime scenes, the school trains its students on every step of the process from finding clues to processing the evidence to presenting in court.
Wildlife crimes tend to take place far from witnesses or CCTV cameras, meaning the need for forensic evidence is paramount. Yet currently, few rangers or wildlife crime law enforcement officers have the skills to properly identify and process forensic evidence.
Globally, the illegal trade in wildlife is worth as much as $20 billion per year according to Interpol. South Africa alone has lost more than 8000 rhinos to poachers in the past decade. Yet only a tiny fraction of poaching cases ever make it to court, usually due to the lack of a suspect or the lack of usable evidence. The Wildlife Forensic Academy, which is now looking to expand into several other African countries, is determined to change that.