US EditionNearly 30,000 Trafficked Animals Were Rescued in a Monthlong Global Operation Led by Interpol
Operation Thunder involved 134 countries and led to 4,620 seizures including 30,000 live animals, illegal timber, and endangered species, revealing a $20 billion illicit wildlife trade.
- 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.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Tonne of marfim and of endangered or protected plants were acquired in the operation which was developed by 134 countries. Number of apreventions reached 4,600, a "record number".
Nearly 30,000 Trafficked Animals Were Rescued in a Monthlong ...
A massive operation against the trafficking of species, coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO), allowed the seizure of about 30.00 live animals and the identification of 1,100 suspicious persons.The so-called Thunder 2025 operation took place from 15 September to 15 October and involved multiple law enforcement agencies in 134 countries.Among these were police, customs, border security and protection of forest resources…
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.
The trafficking of live animals reached record levels in 2025, said on Thursday the police coordination organization Interpol at the end of an operation that allowed the seizure of nearly 30,000 animals and the identification of 1,100 suspects. ...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
