LONDON

Nearly 20,000 live animals have been seized with 365 suspects arrested in the largest-ever wildlife and forestry operation, Interpol said Tuesday.

Thousands of endangered or protected species have been confiscated as part of Operation Thunder 2024 which took place from Nov. 11 to Dec. 6 and coordinated by Interpol and the World Customs Organization.

The global action against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks was carried out in participation with forcers from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.

Interpol said authorities have arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

The animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL secretary general, said that organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature "to fuel human greed."

"This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability," added Urquiza.

Seizures include tons of timber in Indonesia and Kenya, 472 kilograms (1,040 pounds) of pangolins scales in Nigeria, 3,700 protected plants in Peru, one ton of sea cucumbers in the US and eight tigers in the Czech Republic.

More than 300 firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment were also confiscated.