INSTRUCTORS

Jesse Paluch brings 25 years of experience in wildlife and environmental law enforcement to Wildlife Defense, having conducted and supervised thousands of criminal investigations. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Long Island University, he serves as Investigative Captain for a state environmental police force in the northeastern United States, directing large-scale investigations into illegal wildlife trafficking and environmental crimes. During his career, Jesse has been recognized multiple times for his outstanding efforts to combat the transnational illegal wildlife trade. Most notably, Jesse was recognized for spearheading “Operation White Gold”, a covert operation into the illegal trade in elephant ivory and elephant products in NYC. The multi-year operation resulted in the execution of 15 search warrants, 12 million USD in seized elephant products, felony charges levied against 18 corporate entities and 25 individuals. Prosecution of these cases obtained a 100% success rate, with convictions ranging from misdemeanor to felony level illegal commercialization of protected wildlife. In addition to paying a fine, each defendant associated with Operation White Gold was sentenced to donate additional monies toward non-profit wildlife charitable organizations designated by the court. The donations, which amounted to just over $500,000 USD, were earmarked specifically to support endangered species conservation efforts. Following the conclusion of the operation, two tons of elephant ivory was publicly crushed in Manhattan’s Central Park to bring awareness to the plight of the African Elephant and to send a message that ivory is priceless while on a living elephant, and worthless when it is not.

To further support global efforts to save the last of Africa’s endangered species, Jesse has trained with anti-poaching unit rangers, wildlife investigators and prosecutors on the front lines. In 2018, he led a group of investigators, to deliver training in forensic evidence collection to wildlife rangers from Mozambique, e-Swatini and South Africa. In 2023, he traveled to Africa on two occasions to deliver training in advanced undercover operations and surveillance techniques to investigators and prosecutors from Zambia’s Department of National Parks & Uganda Wildlife Authority. And in 2024, he served as lead instructor in delivering wildlife crime scene investigation training to rangers from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and detectives from the South African Police Service. 

Jesse has delivered training to over 1,000 law enforcement professionals across the globe and is regarded as his division’s expert on and currently serves as lead instructor in endangered species investigations; search warrant process; courtroom demeanor and testimony at trial; and case file management. In addition, he is currently an adjunct instructor at the State University of New York at  Cobleskill teaching Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation: Methods, Processes, and Techniques. 

With over 35 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, Chris brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and dedication to his role as an instructor. He served with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, rising through the ranks from Officer to Investigator, and ultimately retiring in 2024 as a Lieutenant Investigator. In his final role, he supervised the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation Unit, overseeing complex environmental and wildlife crime investigations across western and central New York. Throughout his career, Chris specialized in environmental and wildlife forensics, evidence documentation and collection, crime scene management, and hunter-related shooting investigations. He has processed numerous crime scenes and led detailed investigations using advanced forensic and investigative techniques. A New York State-certified police instructor for over 30 years, Chris has trained hundreds of new recruits and veteran officers across a wide range of law enforcement topics. He also has extensive undercover experience in operations targeting the illegal taking of protected wildlife and the trafficking of endangered species.

In October 2024, shortly after his retirement, Chris expanded his instructional impact internationally by traveling to South Africa with Wildlife Defense. There, he co-facilitated Wildlife Crime Scene Investigative Techniques training to field rangers from KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife and detectives from the South African Police Service, helping to strengthen anti-poaching and wildlife protection efforts on a global scale.

Passionate about mentorship and knowledge-sharing, Chris is committed to preparing the next generation of officers to uphold environmental laws with integrity, precision, and professionalism.

  Joshua has over 16 years of experience in fish, wildlife, and natural resources law enforcement. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the State University of New York at Oneonta. Josh began his work with endangered species shortly after graduating college by helping to monitor spawning and habitat ranges for several species native to the United States. Currently, Josh serves as an investigator for a state environmental police force in the northeastern United States. His roles include both overt and covert investigations involving the illegal taking, selling, or trafficking of fish and wildlife. Josh is also a graduate of the United States Wildlife Investigation Covert Academy, where he gained specialized skills in target surveillance techniques and advanced undercover operations. In his role as a certified police instructor, Josh instructs courses in patrol tactics for recruits attending the police academy. He also serves as a mentor and field training officer for newly graduated police officers. Josh is experienced in report writing, search warrant execution, crime scene documentation, and collection of evidence. Josh has received multiple awards for excellence in the performance of his duties as a wildlife investigator and has become a valuable asset to the Wildlife Defense team of instructors.

Scott served as the Major in charge of the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI) at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement. For 10 years, he oversaw statewide criminal investigations of 30-40 police investigators assigned to the Bureau in all nine regions of New York State. This investigative unit’s primary focus was to conduct long-term criminal investigations related to wildlife and environmental crime. 

Scott was instrumental in strengthening New York State’s felony-level criminal sanctions against the illegal trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn. In 2012, he testified before the State Assembly’s   

Environmental Committee hearings on the issue. Following the enactment of these tougher penalties, Major Florence directed the resources under his command to shut down the illegal ivory trade in New York State. The enforcement effort led to the seizure of millions of dollars' worth of illegal ivory and the prosecution of numerous violators under the new felony sanctions. In coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he organized two ivory crushes in 2015 and 2017 in New York City to raise awareness about the plight of wild elephants. In 2018, Major Florence traveled to South Africa to deliver a one-week course in wildlife crime scene forensics to rangers from South Africa, Mozambique, and eSwatini.

Major Florence holds a B.A. degree in Environmental Science, and he has attended numerous law enforcement trainings over his career. He is most proud of graduating from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Academy in 2009. 

Simon hails from eastern Uganda where he grew up in a small village surrounded in biodiversity. This ignited in him a deep passion for wildlife conservation since a young age. As a boy, he provided a sanctuary for birds by planting a garden of eucalyptus trees, which fostered just the right environment for nesting. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Uganda Christian University, he embarked on a journey to combine his technological skills with his passion for wildlife conservation. 

In 2016, Simon eagerly volunteered at Mount Elgon National Park where he actively contributed to the Monitoring and Research Department, engaging in community conservation initiatives. In 2018, he joined the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as a law enforcement game ranger where he played a pivotal role in protecting and preserving the natural habitats and wild species of Uganda. In 2020, he underwent specialized training in investigations, honing his skills in digital analysis.  

Today, Simon proudly serves as a wildlife investigator, utilizing his expertise to combat wildlife crimes and ensure the sustainable management of Uganda's natural resources. With his continued insight and perspective, Wildlife Defense is proud to have Simon on the advisory council.

Jasper Visser had an adventurous childhood growing up in Nairobi, Kenya. With a father working in wildlife protection for the Dutch embassy and a mother serving with the Flying Doctors in Kenya, his path seemed destined for conservation. Now 35 years old, with 16 years of experience across various sectors of the conservation industry, he is a qualified range officer, trails guide, and private pilot. He has now taken on the role of rhino monitor in the Mkuze concession of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Together with his wife, Jasper plays a crucial role in monitoring the rhino population of Mkuze and hopes to have the honor of contributing to this vital rhino protection mission for many years to come. His daily work involves locating both species of rhino using various methods:

• Vehicle patrols
• Camera traps targeting specific individuals
• On-foot patrols
• Aerial patrols using the 100 HP Foxbat aircraft, specially designed for low-and-slow flying operations
  

Jasper hopes to inspire conservationists around the world to take a more active role in protecting the incredible wilderness of Africa.

Lance Steenkamp is a dedicated conservationist and wildlife crime investigator with extensive hands-on experience integrating technology with conservation efforts. After earning his Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Postgraduate Diploma (Honours) in Conservation Management from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), he immersed himself in the field, working on various conservation projects.

Currently serving as the Systems Administrator at uMkhuze Game Reserve, Lance plays a critical role in deploying and managing conservation technology. His work involves overseeing law enforcement camera traps to detect poachers, supporting rangers and anti-poaching teams, and maintaining LoRa Gateways to track priority species like lions, elephants, cheetahs, and wild dogs. He collaborates closely with the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) and field rangers, ensuring real-time surveillance and strategic deployment of security measures.

Beyond his role in technology-driven conservation, Lance actively participates in field operations, continuously expanding his expertise in wildlife crime investigation, species monitoring, and ecological protection. His passion for conservation extends to mentorship and training, where he shares his knowledge with aspiring conservationists.