Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation

This book addresses the multidisciplinary challenges in biodiversity conservation with a focus on wildlife crime and how forensic tools can be applied to protect species and preserve ecosystems. Illustrated by numerous case studies covering different geographical regions and species the book introduces to the fundamentals of biodiversity conflicts, outlines the unique challenges of wildlife crime scenes and reviews latest techniques in environmental forensics, such as DNA metagenomics. In addition, the volume explores the socio-economic perspective of biodiversity protection and provides an overview of national and international conservation laws. The field of conservation medicine stresses the importance of recognizing that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are inextricably interdependent and the book serves as important contribution towards achieving the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals, in particular SDG 15, Life on Land.

The book addresses graduate students, scientists and veterinary professionals working in wildlife research and conservation biology.

“The authors do an admirable job of presenting an overview of the many and complex aspects of the field. Sprinkled throughout the chapters are case studies illustrating practical applications of the concepts discussed. … this book does a good job of introducing readers to a variety of topics … . This text would be more valuable as a reference and planning tool for those interested in wildlife conservation as it applies to forensic investigations and the One Health approach.” (Rebecca Kagan, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 97 (2), June, 2022)

Susan Underkoffler, MFS, holds an Associates of Fine Arts degree, two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Conservation Biology and Scientific Illustration from Arcadia University and a Master of Forensic Science degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. She has spent over ten years as a professional and consultant applying forensic and criminalistic techniques to the investigation of domestic animal, livestock and wildlife crimes, working with companion animal, environmental and wildlife organizations and agencies. For many years she was an environmental scientist, performing wetland delineations, site assessments, and wildlife and habitat evaluations and monitoring and prior to that she researched vaccine development using molecular biotechnology approaches with plants as vector systems. She is currently Director of the Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation graduate program at the University of Florida.

Susan has traveled nationally and internationally as an investigator, trainer, and educator for wildlife and animal cruelty investigations and has conducted published international research in several African countries. Her artwork and illustrations have received numerous awards and have been featured in many scientific publications and private collections. A passionate science communicator, she enjoys bringing to life her background, experiences and commitment to conservation through her art.

Hayley R. Adams, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, DACVM, has over 20 years of experience in wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation, and issues related to One Health in Africa. She created a charitable organization, Silent Heroes Foundation, in 2010 as a way of contributing to conservation & One Health efforts in Africa. In 2020 she converted Silent Heroes into a private foundation that provides small grants to support innovative and conscious conservation and One Health initiatives globally. She is a veterinarian and has a PhDin wildlife epidemiology and virology.  She is a board-certified Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Microbiology.  She teaches conservation medicine and related courses at the University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation.  She is an author with her first book, Conscious Conservation: Less Doing, More Being, and is currently working on her first novel about indigenous people living at the interface with wildlife.