Wildlife crime

The issue

Plants and animals are vital to the health of our planet. The delicate balance of ecosystems relies on biodiversity, and wildlife crime is one of its greatest threats. From big cats trafficking to pangolin smuggling, wildlife crimes often cross international borders, thus demanding a coordinated global response. 
Wild flora and fauna are exploited at every stage of the illegal supply chain, through poaching and transportation to processing and selling. These activities are often linked to other serious crimes, including money laundering, corruption and document fraud, making wildlife crime not just an environmental issue, but a global security concern.

Our response

INTERPOL supports its member countries in disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking. Through global policing capabilities, intelligence sharing and operational coordination, INTERPOL helps enforce national laws and international agreements, identify criminal methods and routes, and facilitate cross-border investigations.

Working across the wildlife crime supply chain, INTERPOL connects law enforcement agencies to target the networks behind the illicit trade. Through international operations and the use of INTERPOL Notices, countries are alerted to emerging threats and wanted offenders, leading to arrests, prosecutions and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal wildlife products.

A toucan seized in Brazil.

Project activities

Operation Thunder 2025

Established in 2017, the Operation THUNDER is a global operation targeting wildlife and forestry trafficking networks. jointly coordinated annually by INTERPOL and the (WCO). It brings together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from over 130 countries and regions.

During the operation, officers from INTERPOL and World Customs Organization share real-time intelligence, coordinate investigations, and pool specialized resources to empower frontline police and customs officers in identifying, targeting and apprehending traffickers, including those operating online, as they smuggle animals and/or timber across international borders.

Nearly 30,000 live animals were seized during the one-month operation.

INTERPOL’s Wildlife Crime Working Group

A global network of law enforcement experts dedicated to maximizing the global endeavors and their impact in combating wildlife crime. It devises strategies and initiatives to strengthen law enforcement responses to combat these crimes across borders. The group comprises members from all continents and has an advisory role within INTERPOL’s Environmental Security.

The working group aims to

To maximize the implementation of INTERPOL’s strategic framework by acting as an enabling service to the wider law enforcement community and civil society.
To provide a global threat assessment that identifies high-risk threat areas within the wildlife crime arena.
To enable and facilitate multilateral cooperation using INTERPOL capabilities aimed at providing a world-class policing and enforcement service that guides the global fight against wildlife crime.
To promote best practices globally, share learning and success stories and to identify and bridge training, knowledge, and skill gaps.

International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)

As a member of  ICCWC, INTERPOL works with international partners to strengthen law enforcement and criminal justice responses to wildlife and forest crime. Through coordinated support, capacity building and operational cooperation, ICCWC helps countries combat illegal wildlife trade and advance the goals of ICCWC Vision 2030.