Interpol reports a record-breaking global wildlife trafficking operation in 2025, with nearly 30,000 animals seized and about 1,100 suspects identified across 134 countries.

The crackdown targeted a broad range of species, including pangolins, big cats, reptiles, and more than 6,000 birds plus over 2,000 turtles; in Africa, Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities seized substantial quantities of giraffe meat, zebra and antelope meat, and hides worth roughly $10,000.

The illicit trade spans invertebrates and marine life as well, with roughly 10,500 butterflies, spiders, and other arthropods seized, reflecting growing demand for wildlife-derived products used in traditional medicine and cuisine.

Two rainbow boa constrictors were found under blankets in a car in Dover after the driver bought them at a German reptile show without a licence.

Animals in custody, including tarantulas, snakes, and birds, are protected under CITES; most will be rehoused or used for research rather than released back into the wild.

Smuggling of small exotic species rose, with nearly 10,500 butterflies, spiders, and other arthropods seized, many protected under CITES, raising ecological and biosecurity concerns.

Adult tarantulas command high prices—up to 350 pounds for common species and even more for rarer Argentinian varieties—yet shipments suffer high mortality from poor handling.

Officials noted rising demand for exotic pets and traditional medicine fuels the market and urged stronger international cooperation and financial-tracking to disrupt criminal networks.

Over 100 endangered birds, including scarlet ibis and lovebirds, were found crammed into vehicles, with several deaths and many in filthy conditions raising health concerns.

Interpol leaders emphasize that wildlife crime networks increasingly link to drug trafficking and human exploitation, aided by cross-border cooperation, intelligence sharing, and cryptocurrency tracing.

Criminals are moving illicit funds through cryptocurrencies, and tracing these flows relies on cross-border cooperation and partnerships with financial platforms.

Other seized items included an elephant hair ring, king cobra balm, shark jaw, shark and crocodile meat, ivory carvings, and a tiger claw bottle when paperwork was missing.