Interpol’s Operation Thunder 2025 Nets 30,000+ Animals in Global Wildlife Crackdown

Global Action Against Environmental Crime Sees Record Seizures Worldwide

A massive international enforcement drive has led to the seizure of over 30,000 live animals , along with protected plants and illegally logged timber, exposing the vast scale of global environmental crime. According to Interpol , the operation highlights how wildlife and forestry trafficking have evolved into highly organised and profitable transnational criminal networks.

Operation Thunder 2025: Global Scale
The month-long initiative, Operation Thunder 2025 , was conducted from September 15 to October 15, 2025 . It brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife agencies from 134 countries , coordinated by Interpol in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO) . During this period, authorities recorded 4,640 seizures , making it one of the largest joint actions ever undertaken against environmental crime.

Wildlife, Bushmeat and Marine Seizures
Enforcement agencies confiscated a wide range of protected wildlife products, including elephant ivory, rhinoceros horns, pangolin scales, and big cat derivatives . A record 5.8 tonnes of bushmeat was seized, indicating rising trafficking routes from Africa to Europe. Belgium intercepted primate meat, Kenya recovered giraffe meat, and Tanzanian authorities seized zebra and antelope skins. Marine seizures were equally alarming, totalling 245 tonnes and over 91,000 individual items , including large quantities of shark fins.

Smaller Species and Illegal Plant Trade
The operation also revealed increased trafficking in smaller species. Nearly 10,500 arthropods , such as insects and spiders protected under CITES , were seized. Additionally, turtles, birds, reptiles and primates featured prominently. Illegal plant trade reached unprecedented levels, with more than 10 tonnes of live plants and derivatives confiscated worldwide.

Illegal Logging and Organised Crime Links
Large quantities of illicit timber were recovered, with Interpol estimating that illegal logging accounts for 15–30 per cent of global timber trade . Arrests in countries such as South Africa, Brazil and Vietnam exposed strong links between environmental crimes and organised criminal networks, posing serious threats to biodiversity and governance.

Exam-Focused Points

• Operation Thunder 2025 involved agencies from 134 countries .

• Over 30,000 live animals were seized in one month.

• Environmental crime is valued at up to $20 billion annually .

• CITES regulates international trade in endangered species.