Gatineau, Quebec: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s officers participated in Interpol’s Operation Thunderball, aimed at cracking down on wildlife crime including smuggling, poaching and trafficking.
The month-long global operation in collaboration with World Customs Organization, involved 109 countries and resulted in the seizures of tens of thousands of protected plants and animals worldwide, as well as products derived from them. This is the largest number of countries ever to coordinate efforts simultaneously on an environmental crime issue.
During the operation in Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers responded to over 100 complaints and tips received from the public concerning habitat and wildlife destruction. Enforcement officers also conducted dozens of inspections, enforcement activities and hunter checks, and led a series of border-crossing blitzes to look for evidence of illegal exports of Canadian species as well as illegal imports of exotic species.
Seizures in Canada
Over the course of the operation, officers intercepted items such as pangolin carcasses, saiga antelope, sturgeon caviar, diet pills containing hoodia (an endangered African plant species), a wallet made with crocodile skin, and black bear bacula, testes and paws, among other items. In six incidents, compliance orders were issued to protect species at risk in Canada.
Worldwide, the initial results of Operation Thunderball have led to the identification of almost 600 suspects, triggering arrests. Further arrests and prosecutions are foreseen as ongoing global investigations progress.
Global seizures to date include:
- 23 live primates
- 30 big cats and large quantities of animal parts
- 440 elephant ivory pieces and five rhino horns
- More than 4,300 birds
- Just under 1,500 reptiles and nearly 10,000 turtles and tortoises
- Almost 7,700 wildlife parts from all species, including more than 30 kg of game meat
- 2,550 cubic metres of timber (equivalent to 74 truckloads)
- More than 2,600 plants
- Almost 10,000 marine wildlife items
“Our nature is under threat and human activity is a driving factor. It’s through initiatives like Operation Thunderball and close collaboration with organizations like Interpol and the World Customs Organization that we will collectively and effectively ensure the protection and conservation of our world’s wildlife,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
“Wildlife crime not only strips our environment of its resources, it also has an impact through the associated violence, money laundering and fraud. Operations like Thunderball are concrete actions targeting the transnational crime networks profiting from these illicit activities. We will continue our efforts with our partners to ensure that there are consequences for criminals who steal from our environment,” said Jürgen Stock, Interpol Secretary General.
Quick Facts
- Currently, global wildlife crime—including poaching, smuggling, and trafficking of animals and plants—is estimated by the United Nations Environment Programme and Interpol to be worth over US$155 billion per year, making it the world’s fourth most lucrative form of crime.
- The illegal wildlife trade is typically run by criminal networks with wide, international reach, whose activities threaten protected wildlife species, affect vulnerable communities, and can undermine national economies.
- Coordinated jointly by Interpol’s Environment Security Programme and the WCO Environment Programme, Operation Thunderball is the third in the “Thunder” series, following Thunderbird in 2017 and Thunderstorm in 2018.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada enforces federal wildlife legislation that protects plant and animal species, particularly in interprovincial and international trade. Provinces and territories manage conservation and regulate the harvest of wildlife in their jurisdictions.