In one of the most ambitious conservation efforts ever undertaken, international law-enforcement agencies have rescued nearly 30,000 animals from illegal captivity and wildlife trafficking networks.
Two poaching suspects and the elephant ivory they were holding in Angola / released by INTERPOL
According to reports by the Good News Network, the month-long campaign—Operation Thunder 2025—brought together police, customs, wildlife authorities, and forestry officials from 134 countries, resulting in a record number of seizures and interventions across the globe.
From mid-September to mid-October, coordinated teams dismantled criminal supply chains that exploit endangered and protected species. Across 4,600+ separate operations, thousands of animals awaiting illegal transfer or sale were discovered and freed, including birds, tortoises, reptiles, primates, pangolins, and even big cats.
While the sheer diversity of rescued wildlife—ranging from tiny arthropods to majestic predators—paints a vivid picture of biodiversity under threat, the operation also intercepted massive quantities of animal parts and derivatives, such as elephant ivory and shark fins, as well as timber trafficked illegally from forests around the world.
Importantly for conservationists, officials noted that fewer rhino horns were found this year compared with past raids, hinting at potential progress in protecting some of the planet’s most imperiled species. Meanwhile, collaboration and intelligence sharing among nations during the operation is expected to strengthen future efforts to combat wildlife crime on a global scale
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