By Abdullahi Lukman
A month-long global crackdown on wildlife trafficking has led to the seizure of nearly 30,000 live animals and the identification of about 1,100 suspects, marking one of the largest coordinated enforcement actions against environmental crime to date.
The operation, known as Operation Thunder 2025, ran from September 15 to October 15, 2025, and involved police, customs, border security, forestry and wildlife authorities from 134 countries.
During the operation, agencies carried out 4,640 seizures involving protected wildlife, plants and illegally logged timber.
Coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO), with support from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), the operation targeted illegal trade across the entire global supply chain.
Authorities seized tens of thousands of protected animals and plants, more than 30 tonnes of CITES-listed endangered species, and tens of thousands of cubic metres of illegal timber.
Live animal seizures reached a record high in 2025, largely driven by demand for exotic pets. However, most cases involved animal parts and derivatives used in traditional medicine, specialty foods and ornaments.
Wildlife crime is estimated to generate about $20 billion annually, though officials say the true figure is likely higher due to the covert nature of the trade.
The operation also revealed emerging and growing threats. Authorities seized a record 5.8 tonnes of bushmeat, including primate, giraffe, zebra and antelope meat, with a sharp rise in trafficking from Africa into Europe.
Marine wildlife trafficking increased as well, with more than 245 tonnes of protected marine species seized worldwide, including thousands of shark fins.
Beyond high-profile species, enforcement agencies reported a surge in the illegal trade of smaller animals and plants. Nearly 10,500 protected butterflies, spiders and insects were confiscated globally, while seizures of live plants and plant derivatives exceeded 10 tonnes, driven by demand from collectors and horticultural markets.
Illegal logging also remained significant, with more than 32,000 cubic metres of timber seized, reflecting an activity estimated to account for up to 30 percent of global timber trade.
Notable national actions included the arrest of 24 suspects in South Africa and the seizure of pangolins, protected succulents and more than 17,000 abalone; the dismantling of a trafficking network in Brazil involving golden lion tamarins; and the interception in Vietnam of 4.2 tonnes of pangolin scales.
Authorities in Europe and North America reported dozens of seizures linked to online sales and international mail shipments.
Officials said extensive preparation, intelligence-sharing and cross-border coordination underpinned the operation. INTERPOL issued 69 international notices to help identify and track suspects, while investigators also worked with financial platforms to trace illicit profits, increasingly linked to cryptocurrency.
INTERPOL, WCO and CITES officials said the results demonstrate the value of global cooperation in combating wildlife and forestry crime.
Intelligence gathered during the operation will now be used to map criminal networks, anticipate emerging trends and strengthen future enforcement efforts against transnational environmental crime.
