In a groundbreaking global effort, nearly 30,000 illegally trafficked animals were rescued during a month-long mission dubbed Operation Thunder 2025. This extensive operation spanned 134 countries and highlighted the alarming scale of wildlife crime on a global scale. The joint initiative, led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization, with support from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, aimed to combat the illegal wildlife trade that fuels organised crime and generates billions of dollars annually.
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The illegal wildlife trade is a lucrative industry primarily driven by the demand for exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, primates, and rare insects. Operation Thunder 2025 saw authorities rescue thousands of birds in Indonesia, over 1,000 birds in Brazil, pangolins in Laos, Egyptian tortoises in Thailand, gibbons and cuscuses in Malaysia, and hatching eggs in Australia. Additionally, the operation emphasised that wildlife trafficking often involves animal parts and derivatives like severed gorilla hands, shark fins, and elephant hair, used in traditional medicine, luxury foods, or decorative items.
The month-long mission resulted in significant achievements, including 4,640 seizures worldwide, the identification of about 1,100 suspects, and the interception of substantial quantities of protected wildlife, plants, animal parts, and illegally logged timber. Authorities seized more than 30 tons of protected species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), along with 32,000 cubic meters of illegally harvested timber, highlighting the magnitude of the operation and the extent of the illegal trade.
Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza highlighted the interconnected nature of wildlife trafficking networks with other forms of organised crime, such as drug trafficking and human exploitation. This underscores the critical need for global cooperation to combat these criminal enterprises that endanger vulnerable species and ecosystems worldwide. The operation exposed the alarming fact that these syndicates target vulnerable species, violate the rule of law, and put communities at risk on a worldwide scale.
The illegal wildlife trade generates staggering profits, estimated at $20 billion annually. However, this figure is likely higher due to the clandestine nature of the market. Customs agencies play a vital role in combating this global threat, with customs officials seizing significant quantities of illegal wildlife, marine species, and plant and timber derivatives. The World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders stressed the importance of collective action to dismantle criminal enterprises and ensure a sustainable future for biodiversity.
Operation Thunder 2025 also revealed emerging threats in the form of bushmeat trafficking, marine wildlife trafficking, and the illegal plant and timber trade. Authorities reported a surge in the trafficking of bushmeat into Europe, with record seizures of primate meat, giraffe meat, zebra, antelope meat, and skins. Additionally, more than 245 tons of protected marine species, including shark fins, and nearly 10,500 insects and arthropods were confiscated during the operation, shedding light on the diverse range of illegal activities uncovered.
Beyond the immediate impacts of arrests and rescues, the intelligence gathered during Operation Thunder 2025 will be instrumental in mapping global criminal networks, strengthening future investigations, and supporting long-term efforts to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems worldwide. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across 134 countries demonstrate a united front against wildlife crime and signal a commitment to preserving our planet’s natural heritage for future generations.