Law enforcement agencies from 134 countries joined together in Operation Thunder which led to seizure of 30.000 live animals and 30 tonnes of animal parts

 

Macaws, photo: Canva

Law enforcement agencie s from 134 countries joined forces in a major global operation name Operation Thunder against the illegal wildlife and timber trade.

Operation Thunder 2025 led to the seizure of nearly 30,000 live animals, over 30 tonnes of animal parts, and more than 32,000 cubic metres of illegal timber.

The one-month operation, which ran from September 15 to October 15, was coordinated by the  International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

It involved police, border security, customs, and wildlife officers from around the world. Their goal was to stop the illegal trade of protected species and break up criminal networks.

Wildlife traffickers exposed

Authorities made 4,640 seizures and identified over 1,100 suspects. They found exotic pets, animal parts used in traditional medicine and food, and timber sold on illegal markets.

In Brazil, police dismantled organized wildlife smuggling groups and rescued over 1,000 birds, including 24 macaws and other protected species. In Thailand, 187 Egyptian tortoises, primates, and even tarantulas were found in suitcases.

More than 3,000 birds, 7,000 spiders and insects were seized in Indonesia. A seller in Qatar was caught trying to sell an endangered primate for $14,000 on social media.

Meat, medicines and marine species

The illegal trade of bushmeat is growing. Authorities found 5.8 tonnes of wild animal meat, including giraffe meat in Kenya, primate meat in Belgium, and zebra and antelope parts in Tanzania.

Marine species were also heavily targeted. Protected marine life were seized, including 4,000 shark fins. Mexican officers found sea cucumbers, which are used in traditional medicine and luxury food.

Some of the most shocking discoveries included gorilla hands in Cameroon, bear parts in Mexico, and snow leopard remains in Mongolia.

Threat to small species and plants

While large animals get the most attention, smaller species were also affected.

Officials seized over 10,000 butterflies, spiders, and beetles, which are often sold illegally. These creatures are important for the environment, and their loss can damage entire ecosystems.

The illegal plant trade also increased. Officers found more than 10 tonnes of live plants and plant products, many of which are used in garden and collector markets.

Illegal logging continues to be a major problem, with over 14,000 timber pieces seized. Timber smuggling is believed to make up 15–30% of all wood traded worldwide.

Operation Thunder also revealed the link between wildlife crime and organized crime, including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and financial crimes. INTERPOL issued 69 international alerts to help find and arrest suspects across borders.

Significant seizures around the world

South African authorities arrested 24 suspects and seized protected succulents, live pangolins and over 17,000 abalone (sea snails), as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

• A shipment from Asia intercepted at a North American mail centre contained over 1,300 primate body parts including bones skulls and other derivatives.
• Indonesian authorities seized over 3,000 birds and 7,000 arthropods including, butterflies, spiders and centipedes.
• Brazilian authorities dismantled a trafficking network, identified 145 suspects and rescued over 200 wild animals, including a crackdown on an international golden lion tamarin trafficking ring.
• Tanzanian law enforcement and CITES authorities seized over 100 ivory tusks and pieces worth USD 415,000 and over 140 hippopotamus teeth worth USD 40,000.
• Authorities in Qatar arrested an individual trying to sell an endangered primate for USD 14,000 on social media.
• Mexican authorities seized seven animals in Sinaloa, including two tigers, along with firearm components frequently associated with organized crime activities.
• More than 40 shipments of insects and 80 shipments of butterflies, originating in Germany, Slovakia and the UK, were intercepted at a US mail centre.
• French customs seized 107 ivory pieces from marketplaces, while Austrian customs raided an online ivory dealer’s home and recovered six more pieces.
• Vietnamese authorities arrested two individuals on a fishing vessel carrying 4.2 tonnes of pangolin scales and other reptile and bird parts.
• In the Dominican Republic, authorities detained 90 individuals for crimes linked to illegal logging.
• Germany intercepted over 1,000 illegal wildlife and forestry items including ivory, reptile parts, coral, plant derivatives and live specimens, primarily at mail centres and airports.