KATHMANDU: Animal trafficking reached an unprecedented level in 2025, driven largely by the rising global demand for exotic pets, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) said on Thursday. The agency released the findings while announcing a worldwide enforcement operation that resulted in the seizure of nearly 30,000 live animals.
According to Interpol, wildlife crime has grown into a criminal industry worth more than USD 20 billion annually. The illicit trade stretches from shark fins and banned ivory to primate meat and other animal derivatives.
In a month-long global operation conducted from September 15, law enforcement officials across 134 countries seized 6,160 birds, 2,040 tortoises, 1,150 reptiles, 208 primates, 46 pangolins, 10 big cats and 19,415 other wild animals. Authorities also confiscated nearly 10,500 butterflies, spiders and insects. Around 1,100 suspects were detained during the crackdown, Interpol stated.
One case cited by the agency involved Qatari authorities arresting a man attempting to sell a primate threatened with extinction for USD 14,000 via social media. In Brazil, police identified 145 suspects while rescuing more than 200 animals as part of a wider investigation into an international golden lion tamarin trafficking network.
Interpol also reported a disturbing rise in the trade of primate remains. A shipment originating from Asia and intercepted in a North American mail centre contained more than 1,300 primate body parts, including bones and skulls.
The agency noted that although live animal seizures hit a record high this year, most global wildlife trafficking continues to involve animal parts and derivatives, many of which are used in traditional medicine and specialty foods. Interpol believes the true value of the illegal trade exceeds current estimates due to its underground nature.
The operation further revealed an escalation in the global market for bushmeat. Belgian authorities intercepted primate meat, Kenyan officials seized over 400 kilograms of giraffe meat, and Tanzanian police recovered zebra and antelope meat and skins worth USD 10,000. In total, 5.8 tonnes of bushmeat were seized globally, marking a significant rise, particularly in shipments moving from Africa to Europe.
In addition to wildlife, law enforcement also confiscated some 32,000 cubic metres of illegally harvested wood. Interpol estimates that illegal logging accounts for 15 to 30 percent of the global wood trade.
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