Thanks to the joint effort of Interpol and customs officials, it has been possible to seize over ten thousand animals destined for illegal trade
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himOver 10.000 wild animals were seized during a 'anti-smuggling operation coordinated by Interpol and the World Customs Organization. Now we need thegovernment intervention for criminals involved in the illegal trade in protected species to receive exemplary penalties.
Over ten thousand wild animals seized
TheThunderball operation which, thanks to the joint effort of Interpol and the World Customs Organization, has made it possible to kidnap over 10 thousand wild animals and parts of them, intended for illegal trade.
The operation involved 109 countries and led to the identification of 600 suspects, arrests around the world and nearly 2000 kidnappings protected wild animals.
During the past month they have been over 4000 birds, almost 10 thousand turtles, 23 live primates and 30 big cats were seized as well as 74 timber trucks, 2.600 plants and nearly 10.000 marine species.
Unfortunately, not all the seizures involved live animals. In fact, 440 pieces were also seized elephant tusks e rhino horns, more different seahorses dead and a ton of pangolin flakes.
The pangolin is a small mammal covered with scales, which form a kind of armor. IS one of the busiest mammals in the world because it is traditionally believed that the scales have medicinal powers. The scales are used in Chinese medicine and those seized were destined for the Asian market.
Trade in wild animals
Il illegal wildlife trade is a multibillion dollar criminal enterprise and is the largest threat to the survival of numerous species animals and plants, including African elephants, many species of birds and reptiles and pangolins, the latter destined for traditional Chinese medicine.
In the last few years the wildlife trade has increased, which is why Interpol and the World Customs Organization have decided to join forces.
Operation Thunderball is the third in a series: the first two occurred in 2018 and 2017 and always involved the illegal trade in wildlife, timber and plants.
The operation focused on the early identification of trafficking routes to be successful in preventing wildlife crime e destroy criminal networks.
However, the kidnappings and arrests are only the first step to tackle the huge problem of wildlife crime: governments must now proceed e bring criminals to trial who run these networks.
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Tatiana Maselli
Photo credit Interpol
