Big Dreamer from South Africa
Help Innocent Buthelezi Study Wildlife Crime Forensics
For over 10 years Innocent Buthelezi has been working to protect wildlife in South Africa: patrolling nature reserves, inspecting transport for wildlife contraband and pursuing poachers. He is one of a few who has a direct influence on preserving the unique ecosystems of Africa.
And although Innocent has extensive experience in dog handling and managing teams of anti-poaching rangers, he still does not know what to do if he happens to be at a wildlife crime scene. Where to look for traces? How to collect evidence without ruining it? How to present it in court?
Innocent hopes to find answers to these questions in the Wildlife Forensic Academy course. He followed the academy's development since its establishment, however, he could not afford the training. As he seeks to start working in one of the national nature reserves, where most of the wildlife crimes happen, Innocent hopes to do this training as soon as possible. WFF is happy to launch a fundraising campaign to sponsor training for Innocent Buthelezi, Section Ranger in a private reserve in South Africa.
Help Innocent now to help to fight wildlife crime in the future.
DESIRABILITY
Wildlife trafficking is the world's third largest illegal trade, after illicit drug and firearms trafficking. To stop it, we need to ensure that poachers face convictions. And as in any law enforcement, this requires evidence. To collect it, one should have special knowledge and skills on how to act on the crime scene. Now rangers are the first to discover wildlife crimes and, unfortunately, due to the lack of special preparation they unintentionally disrupt crucial forensic protocols. As a result, evidence in court is poor or dismissed, and criminals do not face convictions.
The Wildlife Forensic Academy solves this problem and teaches rangers how to act on crime scenes, how to collect evidence, and how to present the results in court.
VIABILITY
By sponsoring the training of rangers at the Wildlife Forensic Academy, one can contribute to increasing chances to improve investigations of wildlife crime. The Academy is a non-profit organisation that runs courses in a dedicated area with simulated spaces for crime scenes, a laboratory and a courtroom. Rangers are trained by professional veterinarians, forensic experts, judges and prosecutors.
As a result of the training, Innocent Buthelezi will receive an additional qualification and will be able to work at actual crime scenes. This would also be beneficial for nature reserves in South Africa where Innocent has been working as a ranger since 2012. Currently, he leads teams of maintenance staff and anti-poaching rangers; he can transfer his knowledge to his colleagues and take responsibility to manage crisis situations. Most wildlife crimes happen in national nature reserves, where such species as rhinos inhabit. Innocent plans to apply for a job at one of them, so this training will also help him advance in his career as a ranger.
FEASIBILITY
Innocent has a bachelor's degree in nature conservation from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. In addition, Innocent continues getting special skills at short-term courses in law enforcement, anti-poaching activities, and dog handling. Innocent is a professional dog handler, with big experience in transportation patrolling. For almost two years, he worked as a wildlife trade officer at The Endangered Wildlife Trust, one of the largest non-governmental organisations in southern Africa. Innocent was part of the team implementing the Wildlife In Trade Programme, aimed at fighting illegal wildlife trade.
The training at the Wildlife Forensic Academy would add to Innocent’s previous and continuous education. "I am really passionate about continuing my education," says the ranger. "I need practical experience in crime scene management, collecting evidence, and attending court cases, and I am sure the Academy can give me this knowledge," he highlights.
The 3 Day Wildlife Forensic Training for Africans consists of two modules: 'Crime Scene Management' and 'Crime Scene Management and Evidence Collection'. It is taught in person in an 800m2 state-of-the-art forensic training experience lab situated in the private wildlife reserve Buffelsfontein, close to Cape Town. By following this training, Innocent would receive hands-on experience in how to act at a wildlife crime scene, how to provide first aid to animals and collect evidence.
TIMING
With the fundraising campaign finished, the Wildlife Forensic Fund has transferred the payment to the Wildlife Forensic Academy to sponsor the training for Innocent Buthelezi, and he will do the three-day training course in August, 2023.
BUDGET
Innocent is looking to follow the 3 Day Wildlife Forensic Training For Africans at the Wildlife Forensic Academy, which costs 10545 ZAR (approximately 550 EUR).
RESULT
Thanks to the donations, Innocent will be able to get expert knowledge and hands-on experience in collecting wildlife crime evidence and presenting it in court. Every euro contributed will go a long way in fighting wildlife crime.
The course will last for three days, and we will update you about Innocent’s progress and first impressions.
DISSEMINATION AND IMPACT
Trainings at the Wildlife Forensic Academy include theoretical and practical assessments. The Wildlife Forensic Fund will track the progress of Innocent Buthelezi at the Academy and post an update for investors as soon as the project is completed.