Global wildlife trafficking crackdown seizes record 30,000 live animals in single month

In what represents the largest seizure of live animals in its nine-year history, Operation Thunder—a coordinated international effort led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization—confiscated nearly 30,000 living creatures during a month-long crackdown on illegal wildlife trade this fall. The September-October operation involved law enforcement agencies from 134 countries and resulted in 4,640 seizures while identifying over 1,100 suspects.

The staggering haul included nearly 10,500 butterflies, spiders, and insects, along with more than 6,000 birds, 2,000 turtles, and 1,150 reptiles—many protected under CITES, the international wildlife trade agreement. Authorities also seized over 30 metric tons of body parts from endangered species, plus high-value plants and timber, highlighting the vast scope of environmental crimes that generate at least $20 billion annually.

The record number of live animals seized points to surging demand for exotic pets, a troubling trend that threatens vulnerable species worldwide. According to Interpol Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza, these operations expose the “sophistication and scale of criminal networks” that often overlap with drug, human, and weapons trafficking operations. “These syndicates target vulnerable species, undermine the rule of law and endanger communities worldwide,” Urquiza stated.

Operation Thunder’s annual efforts aim to identify and dismantle the complex criminal organizations driving the illegal wildlife trade, which continues to threaten biodiversity and exploit endangered species for profit across global markets.