INTERPOL’s Operation Thunder 2025 cracks down on wildlife and forestry crime, seizing 30,000 live and endangered animals across 134 countries, exposing a $20B global illegal trade network

Operation Thunder 2025 revealed an escalating illicit trade of bushmeat, the term used for wild animal meat, especially from tropical regions. Belgian authorities intercepted primate meat, Kenyan officials seized over 400 kilograms of giraffe meat and Tanzanian law enforcement recovered zebra and antelope meat and skins valued at approximately USD 10,000. Globally, a record 5.8 tonnes of bushmeat was seized, with a notable increase in cases from Africa into Europe…