Brazilian authorities have carried out the country’s biggest-ever operation against wildlife trafficking, arresting 45 people and rescuing more than 700 exotic animals.
Image of exotic bird used for illustrative purposes/Linoleum Creative Collective/Unsplash
Among the animals seized were brightly coloured toucans and macaws, boxes of tortoises, monkeys, and even a python. They were transported to a central care facility, where veterinarians examined them—some covered with blankets for protection during their check-ups, as previously reported by NZ Herald.
The operation mobilised more than 1,000 police officers across Rio de Janeiro and several other states. A police statement described it as “the largest operation in Brazil’s history to combat the trafficking of wild animals, weapons, and ammunition.”
This crackdown followed a year-long investigation into one of the country’s most prolific wildlife trafficking rings. Authorities revealed that the highly organised gang had been operating for decades, with members specialising in different aspects of the trade. Some hunted wild animals in large numbers, others transported them to urban markets, while one faction focused on primates—capturing, drugging, and selling monkeys.
Beyond animals, the network also trafficked weapons and ammunition, which were linked to other crimes, according to police official Felipe Curi.
“Animal trafficking is not just cruel—it’s a death sentence. Many animals die before even reaching the market, which shows the sheer brutality of this trade,” said Bernardo Rossi, Brazil’s State Secretary of Environment and Sustainability.
Police have also identified some of the buyers who helped fuel the illicit trade, though no names were released.
Wildlife trafficking remains one of Brazil’s biggest environmental challenges. According to RENCTAS (National Network to Combat Wildlife Trafficking), an estimated 38 million animals are taken from the wild in Brazil every year. Shockingly, around 90% of these die before reaching their final destination.
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