Wildlife Forensic Fund (WFF)

Initiated by the Sustainable Scale-up Foundation, it strengthened wildlife crime investigations through the application of forensic science.

Between 2022 and 2025, WFF worked to build awareness and support professional training and innovation in wildlife forensics, contributing to the protection of endangered species and ecosystems. Many of its original efforts now continue through the European Wildlife Forensic Network.

status: finished

quick facts

over 30,000 Euros

donated to conservation and forensic innovation projects, including ranger training and the Rhisotope Project

over 60 students and rangers

trained in forensic techniques at the Wildlife Forensic Academy

Launched the podcast "Animals Can’t Testify,"

producing 6 episodes to raise awareness of wildlife crime and forensic investigation

problem

Wildlife crime is one of the major threats to biodiversity, with many offenses taking place in remote areas where law enforcement is not directly present. A lack of forensic capacity, local awareness, and funding for proper training and equipment often makes it difficult to investigate cases and achieve convictions, leaving endangered species vulnerable.

solution

The Wildlife Forensic Fund supported efforts to bridge this gap by funding and delivering forensic training to rangers and conservation professionals. By improving local response, evidence collection, and awareness, WFF helped strengthen investigations, support prosecutions, and enhance wildlife protection where it is most needed.

project overview

  • Wildlife crime continues to threaten biodiversity, particularly in regions where enforcement capacity is limited. Many offenses happen in remote areas without immediate police presence, and forensic evidence is often lost due to a lack of local expertise, awareness, and funding. To improve investigations and conservation outcomes, there was a growing need for better local training, awareness-building, and innovation in wildlife forensic techniques.

  • We aimed to strengthen the fight against wildlife crime by making forensic training more accessible to local rangers and conservation managers, creating a ripple effect in raising awareness and improving crime scene response. In addition, WFF supported research and innovation projects, such as Rhisotope, to develop new tools and methods for wildlife protection. By combining training, research funding, and capacity building, WFF contributed to improving investigation practices, supporting prosecutions, and enhancing conservation efforts.

Reports & documents

Below you can find public reports and documents related to the Wildlife Forensic Fund’s activities and governance:

partner with us

Would you like to join us in building the European Wildlife Forensic Network? Let us know!

Visit wildlifeforensic.com for more information!