Wildlife Forensic Academy – A Call to Action

Zoo Atlanta is honored to host Andro Vos, CEO and Founder of the Wildlife Forensic Academy based in South Africa, as the featured speaker of the 2026 Geoffrey Bourne Lecture. Mr. Vos will present Wildlife Forensic Academy: A Call to Action on Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Michael & Thalia Carlos Ballroom in Savanna Hall.

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, conservation, and justice intersect in a fascinating emerging field of forensics? During this inspiring and thought-provoking evening, guests will learn firsthand about the Wildlife Forensic Academy as shared by its founder, Andro Vos, the author of the upcoming book CSI Wildlife. 

The lecture is open to the public and is free to attend, but RSVP is requested. RSVP by April 20 online here on zooatlanta.org. Some content may not be suitable for children.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org
404.624.5980

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.