Geoffrey Bourne Lecture

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Event Date(s): April 22

Wildlife Forensic Academy: A Call to Action

The 2026 Geoffrey Bourne Lecture presented by Andro Vos, CEO and Founder of the Wildlife Forensic Academy

The Geoffrey Bourne Lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in the Michael and Thalia Carlos Ballroom in Savanna Hall. The lecture is open to the public and is free to attend, but RSVP is requested.

Wildlife crimes are among some of today’s most pressing challenges for species around the world, but forensic experts are cracking the code as they look for crime scene evidence that helps lead to poachers and other perpetrators of the system.

Where do science, justice, and conservation intersect in a fascinating emerging field of forensics? During this inspiring and thought-provoking evening, you’ll learn firsthand about the origins of the Wildlife Forensics Academy as shared by its founder, Andro Vos, the author of the upcoming book CSI Wildlife.

Attendance is FREE, but RSVP is requested. Please RSVP below by April 20. Please note, some content may not be suitable for children.

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More about this talk

Explore the origins, growth, and global role of the Wildlife Forensic Academy and learn how it emerged in response to rising wildlife crime and the urgent need to protect biodiversity.

Wildlife crime—ranging from poaching to illegal trade—has serious consequences for ecosystems, economies, and global security. Addressing these challenges requires specialized scientific approaches, which led to the creation of the Academy as a center for training, research, and forensic innovation. Learn more about the Academy’s multidisciplinary work, including advancements in DNA analysis, species identification, decomposition, and crime scene investigation, as well as its efforts to support international law enforcement.

About Andro Vos

With over 35 years in the Criminal Justice Chain, Andro’s decision to build the Wildlife Forensic Academy came after his visit to the Southern African Wildlife College.

After hearing about the extent of wildlife crime, Andro visited a horrific crime scene. Since there were no witnesses, the poachers were going to get away with it. He then noticed there were forensic traces all over the scene, similar to those found on human crime scenes. No one else seemed aware of this. It was then he decided to build the Wildlife Forensic Academy as a way to educate people on how to solve and prevent wildlife crime.

About the Geoffrey Bourne Lecture Series

The Geoffrey Bourne Lecture Series is a scholarly series that brings esteemed scientists, educators, and conservationists to Atlanta.

The Geoffrey Bourne Fund was established in 1999 to honor the late Dr. Bourne, the founding President of the Atlanta Zoological Society (AZS). The AZS was formed in 1970 to provide support for what was then known as the Atlanta Zoo. Dr. Bourne, who was at the time affiliated with what is now the Emory University Primate Research Center, brought not only a love of the Zoo to his new role, but also a professional and scientific background which was instrumental in shaping the Zoo’s future mission. Under his leadership, the AZS implemented changes at the Zoo and worked to recruit other Atlantans to the cause while working to focus the Zoo’s mission on education and conservation.

The mission of the Geoffrey Bourne Fund is to recognize Dr. Bourne and his contributions to the development of Zoo Atlanta and the field of primatology – a present-day area of leadership for the Zoo – and to endow and implement the lecture series.