Nearly 20,000 endangered animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in global wildlife operation

• 138 countries join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide

Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks in Nigeria and other countries, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Operation Thunder 2024 brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017. The operation was backed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat and carried out under the partnership framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

The 2024 operation was co-funded by the European Union, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles, were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

Among the significant seizures are 4,472 kg of pangolin scales in Nigeria and 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border in Türkiye.

Globally, authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the CITES. Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.

The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.

In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods. Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.

Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach. More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.

INTERPOL Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, said: “Organised crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict, as well as instability.

“Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations,” Urquiza added.

WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts, we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies.

“The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”

CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said: “Operation Thunder exemplifies the power of international collaboration in the fight against wildlife crime.

The increasing participation of national authorities year after year is in recognition of the urgency and scale of this global challenge. As part of ICCWC, CITES remains committed to working with Parties to ensure that wildlife trafficking is confronted with a unified response.”

Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.

Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.

Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real-time.