Laker Wildlife Initiative Partnership

Wildlife Forensic Academy

The Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA) is the first of its kind to mobilize forensic knowledge to help combat wildlife crimes. The focus of their courses is to expertly analyze wildlife crime scenes and safeguard forensic evidence to increase prosecution levels.

The Laker Wildlife Initiative’s partnership with the WFA is a dynamic collaboration designed to advance education, research, and capacity-building in wildlife crime enforcement and conservation.

This relationship enables:

• Study Abroad and Experiential Learning: Students participate in hands-on courses at WFA’s Experience Lab, learning to investigate wildlife crime scenes using professional forensic techniques, and earning academic credit through Clayton State’s curriculum.
• Curriculum Innovation: The partnership supports the development of multidisciplinary coursework and masterclasses that bridge forensic science, conservation, and criminal justice, both at Clayton State and through joint programming with the WFA.
• Professional Development: The collaboration provides training and networking opportunities for faculty, students, and professionals, with the aim of building local and global expertise in wildlife forensics.
• Community Impact and Expansion: The partnership lays the groundwork for future initiatives, including the establishment of a US-based WFA training facility at Clayton State, focused on wildlife crime investigation and border security, and the launch of the Laker Forensic Sciences Institute.

Together, the Laker Wildlife Initiative and WFA are equipping the next generation of conservation leaders and forensic professionals to combat wildlife crime and protect biodiversity, both locally and worldwide. 

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