▌深入南非原野：學習野生動物保育與鑑識專業，對抗盜獵行為
臺大國際處攜手國際引水人計畫南非實習機構夥伴野生動物法醫學院 (WFA) 舉辦「臺大南非動物保育、犯罪與法醫解密見習團 」，集結 15 位跨領域背景的同學，走進野生動物鑑識現場，展開一趟發人深省的探索之旅。
學院的講師們，包含院長暨獸醫 Greg Simpson 博士、環境保育專家、講師與野外生存訓練講師 Jan Marx 博士、警官Petro van der Westhuizen與律師 Phil Snijman，共同帶領學生們接觸野生動物法醫調查的各面向。他們學習如何進行犯罪現場分析、蒐集與保存證據、進行解剖作業，以及判讀法醫鑑識結果，逐步理解科學證據如何在法律情境中為野生動物發聲。透過 Jan Marx 博士的課程，學生亦深入認識生態系統與植物生態，並培養對保育工作至關重要的實地操作與野外生存技能。位於南非西岸的 Buffelsfontein 野生動物保護區，這些見習課程不僅發生於教室內，而是可以延伸至遼闊的非洲草原，讓學生觀察野生動物的棲息生態，獲得最真實的震撼體驗。
此外，學生亦前往開普敦市郊地區，參與一場關於狒狒與人類衝突的專題講座，並在保育專家的帶領下，得以近距離觀察狒狒的自然行為，理解住在都市近郊的人們，是如何基於複雜的考量，做出和野生動物共存的保育決策。
本次行程亦安排參訪姊妹校斯泰倫博斯大學（Stellenbosch University）的生物醫學研究中心（Biomedical Research Institute）。學生在其先進的實驗室裡，充分了解分子生物學與 DNA 分析等技術，並學習如何應用於野生動物犯罪的鑑識與調查。
除了密集的學術訓練，學生還參與多元的實地參訪，包含走訪獵豹保育機構、於博爾德斯海灘（Boulders Beach）觀察瀕危的非洲企鵝，以及深入體驗南非的多樣自然景觀與文化。
在這 13 天中，學生要適應異國與野外的行程，卻也共同探索了西開普省的豐富地景。從餐桌上的飯局，到在保護區欣賞夕陽、仰望滿天星斗，再到和 WFA 團隊成員的互動，見習團的同學們彼此間建立起深厚的友誼，也成為此次南非之行不可或缺的一部分。
更多有關國際引水人計畫：https://internshipabroad.ntu.edu.tw/
▌A Journey to South Africa: Learning Wildlife Conservation and Forensic Science to Combat Poaching
In collaboration with the Wildlife Forensic Academy (WFA), NTUOIA’s South African partner for the OverseasInternshipProgram, NTUOIA organised the “2026 NTU x WFA Traineeship: South Africa – Conservation. Forensics. Action.” The programme brought 15 students from a wide range of academic backgrounds on an immersive learning journey into wildlife conservation and forensic science.
Under the guidance of Dr Greg Simpson, Academy Director and Veterinarian, alongside Dr Jan Marx, environmentalist, lecturer, and survival instructor at the Wildlife Forensic Academy, Police Officer Petro van der Westhuizen, Lawyer Phil Snijman, Clelia Venturin, Marketing and Educational Partnerships at the Wildlife Forensic Academy, and Environmentalist Aimee Welmans, students explored the full scope of wildlife forensic investigation. They learned how to analyse crime scenes, collect and preserve evidence, conduct dissections, and interpret forensic findings, developing a clear understanding of how scientific evidence can speak on behalf of wildlife in legal contexts. Through Dr Jan Marx’s teaching, students also examined ecosystems and plant life, while building practical field and survival skills essential to conservation work.
Based within the Buffelsfontein Game Reserve on South Africa’s west coast, learning extended far beyond the classroom. Students studied against the backdrop of the African savanna, where wildlife moved freely nearby.
During the programme, students also took part in a specialist lecture and close-range field encounter on baboon–human conflict in areas outside Cape Town. Led by conservation specialists, this experience gave students firsthand insight into baboon behaviour and the complex, evidence-based decisions involved in managing coexistence in urban and peri-urban environments.
The programme also included a visit to the Biomedical Research Institute at Stellenbosch University, where students toured advanced laboratory facilities and learned how molecular biology and DNA-based techniques used in human health research are directly applicable to wildlife crime forensics.
Across the 13-day traineeship, students combined intensive academic training with site visits to a cheetah sanctuary, observation of endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach, and opportunities to engage more broadly with South Africa’s landscapes and culture.
Living and learning together over 13 days, students navigated long field days, unfamiliar conditions, and time spent exploring the many landscapes and features of the Western Cape together. From getting to know one another over meals to enjoying sunsets across the reserve, stargazing under clear night skies, and spending time with WFA staff, they formed close friendships and shared moments that became an essential part of the South Africa experience.
