Business, Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Illegal wildlife swoop seizes 20,000 animals

[ February 6, 2025   //   Chris Lewis ]

The World Customs Organization (WCO) says that it seized nearly 20,000 endangered or protected live animals in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking in Operation Thunder 2024, in partnership with Interpol,, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries. This was the widest participation since the operation in 2017 it said.
Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The live animals included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles. Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres.
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 were the most significant seizures, primarily in sea container shipments, while most seizures involving the other categories of goods took place at airports and mail-processing hubs.

Tags: World Customs Organization; WCO