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Operation Thunder 2025 involved 134 countries, leading to 4,640 seizures and identifying 1,100 suspects in the illegal wildlife trade worth at least $20 billion annually.
- Operation Thunder 2025, coordinated across 134 countries from 15 September to 15 October, seized almost 30,000 live animals, INTERPOL said on Dec 11.
- Driven by market demand, Interpol said the illegal trade is fueled by exotic pet markets and traditional medicine and speciality food markets, with wildlife crime valued at US$20 billion.
- Seizure data shows authorities across 134 countries made a record 4,620 seizures, confiscating nearly 10,500 butterflies, spiders and arthropods plus more than 245 tonnes of protected marine species during the week.
- As a result, authorities identified 1,100 suspects and INTERPOL issued 69 notices, while data will map global trafficking routes and target criminal networks.
- Looking beyond animals, officials reported 14,000 pieces of illegally logged timber and over 10,000 tonnes of live plants, warning these removals risk destabilising food chains and introducing invasive pests.
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25 Articles
Conservation news
ecotopical.comBirds, bugs and butterflies netted in global seizures by Interpol
In a single month this year, nearly 30,000 live animals, were seized in a coordinated global crackdown on the illegal trade in wildlife and plants. Known as Operation Thunder and coordinated by Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), it also confiscated tens of thousands of body parts from endangered species, and high-value plants and timber. The operation, conducted every year, aims to identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal net…
Interpol reported on Thursday that demand for exotic pets led to a record number of live animal seizures in 2025, putting the total number of seizures during the period at 30,000.
Coordinated by Interpol, headquartered in Lyon, and the World Customs Organization (WCO), an international operation against illegal trade in species of wild fauna and flora has led to the seizure of nearly 30,000 live animals and the identification of 1,100 suspects.
Interpol-led global wildlife sting makes record seizures of animals, plants, timber
Law enforcement agencies from 134 countries seized a record number of illegally traded live animals between September and October, underlining a growing demand for exotic pets, Interpol said in a statement on Thursday.
Nearly 30,000 Trafficked Animals Were Rescued in a Monthlong ...
Associated Press News
Nearly 30,000 trafficked animals were rescued in a monthlong global operation led by Interpol
Interpol says a monthlong operation led by the international police body resulted in the rescue of nearly 30,000 live animals that were being trafficked.
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