Tracker Academy was established to preserve and professionalise the ancient art of animal tracking for the benefit of wildlife conservation and rural communities.

Tracker Academy became endorsed by FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa), the industry recognised body for guides and trackers in Southern Africa.

Tracker Academy received official accreditation as a tracker training school under the Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).

Two graduates were deployed to Caiman Ecological Refuge in the Pantanal to habituate jaguars for research and ecotourism—achieving over 75% guest sighting success

Trained and evaluated rhino monitors at Majete Wildlife Reserve for African Parks Network.

Graduates were deployed to monitor jackal and springbok interactions, contributing data to inform regional wildlife management.

Trackers received specialist training in conservation dog handling to enhance anti-poaching effectiveness.

Four graduates successfully habituated leopards for ecotourism, maintaining detailed daily tracking logs over two years.

Partnered with the SA Wildlife College to equip tracker graduates with armed ranger and anti-poaching skills.

Partnered with WildlifeACT to provide trained trackers for scientific animal monitoring and data collection.

Alex van den Heever, Renias Mhlongo, and Karel Benadie co-authored the Tracker Manual, now a leading reference for trackers and conservationists across Africa.

Trackers deployed to Akagera National Park, Rwanda identified 14 leopards through tracks and camera traps, significantly improving guest sightings at Wilderness Safaris’ Magashi Camp.

In partnership with Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, Tracker Academy developed a machine learning app to identify animal tracks through AI.

Alex van den Heever co-authored a scientific paper confirming ancient crocodile track sites dating back 100,000 years, published in the South African Journal of Science.

Trackers were deployed to monitor and habituate leopards in the Waterberg for research and ecotourism.

Launched the Rhino Guardians initiative to equip anti-poaching personnel with advanced man-tracking skills for rhino protection.

A permanent training camp was opened in the Timbavati region, expanding Tracker Academy’s training capacity and reach.

Tracker Academy received an “A” rating from Paragon Impact for measurable impact across six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Signed an agreement with SANParks to train field rangers in advanced man-tracking skills under South Africa’s G20 Legacy Projects.