2025 Global Conservation Force Training Courses

2025 Training Course Lineup

Global Conservation Force (GCF) is excited to announce a series of immersive, hands-on conservation training courses for 2025! Designed to provide participants with critical skills and education, these programs offer a unique opportunity to contribute directly to wildlife protection efforts while experiencing the diverse beauty of South Africa.

While these courses are less strenuous than our rigorous 5-week Intro to Anti-Poaching Bootcamp, they still require a solid commitment to physical activity and outdoor work. Participants should be prepared for long days outside, hiking an average of 5–10 miles, and embracing the challenges of conservation work—including getting a little sweaty and dirty!

Introduction to Snare Patrols

Dates: May 27–31, 2025
Instructors: Geoffrey Phipps, Mike Veale

Snares are one of the deadliest threats to wildlife globally, silently capturing and killing countless animals each year. Effective snare patrols involve locating and removing these traps from both inside and outside wildlife reserves. This course will teach participants the skills necessary to identify, document, and remove snares, reducing their devastating impact on local ecosystems.

Participants will gain hands-on experience patrolling active conservation zones, exploring diverse habitats, and contributing directly to ongoing wildlife protection efforts. Each program also includes opportunities to visit local tourist sites, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching experience.

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)

Dates: April 9–19, 2025
Instructor: Chris Laursen

Learn life-saving skills in the remote and challenging environments of South Africa’s bush. Led by GCF’s Lead Field Medic, Chris Laursen, this TECC course provides participants with the knowledge and hands-on experience to respond to medical emergencies in the field.

The program covers the fundamentals of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, scenario-based exercises, and practical techniques for stabilization and emergency evacuation. Perfect for individuals in medical, tactical, or conservation fields, this course is an unparalleled opportunity to gain invaluable skills while working alongside anti-poaching units.

Introduction to Snare Patrols and Tactical Man Tracking

Dates: May 27th–31st, 2025
Instructors: Mike Veale

This combined course introduces participants to two essential field skills: snare patrols and tactical man tracking. In the snare patrol segment, attendees will focus on identifying and removing snares to protect wildlife. The tactical man tracking component teaches participants how to locate and follow a person or quarry by analyzing environmental clues like footprints. Whether for anti-poaching efforts or navigating dangerous game habitats, these skills are foundational for conservation work.

K9 Field Training and Integrated Operations

Dates: August 1st–10th, 2025
Instructors: Wesley Visscher, Mario Haspels, and Mike Veale

Join expert K9 trainers and anti-poaching rangers for this intensive course, designed for handlers, trainers, and rangers working with active K9 units. Participants will engage in real-world scenarios, enhancing operational effectiveness in anti-poaching, counter-trafficking, and wildlife protection roles. Like all GCF programs, this course provides exposure to diverse habitats and local tourist experiences within GCF’s conservation zones.

Introduction To Anti-Poaching Course

Dates: August 9th–30th, 2025
Instructors: Mike Veale

The GCF Introduction to Anti-Poaching Training Course is designed to forge highly skilled, disciplined, and mission-ready wildlife protection professionals. Over an intensive 21-day program (August 9th – 30th), trainees will undergo a physically and mentally demanding experience, structured to meet the real-world challenges faced by anti-poaching rangers. This course is not for the faint of heart—participants should prepare as they would for a military or law enforcement boot camp, with the expectation of rigorous training in both practical and tactical conservation techniques.

Trainees will be immersed in tactical man tracking, firearms handling, and strategic patrol operations, ensuring they are capable of navigating the challenges of wildlife protection. They will gain hands-on experience in vehicle stops, security points, extractions, and arrest protocols, learning critical security tactics applicable to anti-poaching efforts. Field skills such as pickets and observation posts (OPs), citizen science ranger training, and the use of camera traps for wildlife monitoring will be integral to their training, enhancing their ability to gather intelligence and document illegal activities.

Understanding and coexisting with Africa’s most formidable wildlife is essential for any conservation ranger. The course includes an introduction to dangerous game, preparing trainees to live and work alongside the Big Five, as well as venomous snake handling to develop essential field survival skills. Additionally, trainees will be introduced to Integrated K9 operations, learning how highly trained conservation dogs assist in tracking poachers, detecting illegal wildlife products, and protecting endangered species.

Physical readiness and personal defense are also a priority. The course incorporates mixed martial arts training focused on suspect control and self-defense, ensuring trainees are prepared for real-world encounters. With an emphasis on purpose-based patrols and target operations, graduates will leave with the necessary skills, endurance, and knowledge to operate effectively in some of the world’s most challenging conservation environments.

This course is for those truly committed to wildlife conservation, ranger support, and frontline protection efforts. If you are ready to push your limits and take on this challenge, the GCF Introduction to Anti-Poaching Course will provide you with the training and skills needed to make a real impact.

What to Expect from GCF Training Courses

Our programs prioritize education and skill-building in wildlife conservation. While not as physically demanding as the 5-week Bootcamp, they still require a solid commitment to outdoor work, including hiking, navigating diverse terrains, and enduring the elements. Applicants should come prepared for adventure and hands-on learning, as well as a willingness to get involved in impactful conservation efforts.

Ready to join us in making a difference? Apply today!