Skip to Content Skip to Footer
banner

Laker Wildlife Initiative Programs and Activities
Study Abroad

Dr. Andrea Allen is the Director of the new USG Goes Global study abroad program to Cape Town, South Africa, where students will attend the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA). Scheduled for summers 2026–2028, this immersive program allows students to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience in wildlife crime and conservation forensics.

Two courses are offered for credit:

  • Global Issues: Wildlife Crime and Conservation
    This course examines the global issue of wildlife crime, focusing on its socio-economic, political, and environmental dimensions. Students will explore the drivers of wildlife crime, as well as the international legal frameworks, enforcement strategies, and conservation efforts aimed at protecting biodiversity. The course emphasizes the intersection of wildlife crime with broader global issues such as poverty, corruption, organized crime, and sustainable development. South Africa—and particularly Cape Town—provides an ideal setting for this study abroad due to its unique biodiversity and its position as a critical hotspot for both wildlife trafficking and conservation efforts. The Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA), located at Buffelsfontein Nature Reserve near Cape Town, offers state-of-the-art facilities that allow students to engage directly with the tools and techniques used to combat wildlife crime.
  • Wildlife Forensics
    This course provides an in-depth look at how forensic science is applied to investigate wildlife crimes. Students learn evidence collection, species identification, forensic entomology, and legal frameworks for prosecuting wildlife crime. The program includes immersive lab work, virtual reality simulations, and the development of innovative forensic strategies, giving students practical skills to address wildlife crime both locally and globally.

These courses combine classroom learning, real-world investigation, and cultural exploration, preparing students to become leaders in wildlife crime investigation and conservation