Wildlife Justice Commission

Forests cover over 30% of our planet's land area and are essential for life: providing medicine, food, clean air, and livelihoods. They also stabilise soils, sustain biodiversity, and even provide resources for pollinators 🐝. Yet, our forests are being decimated by illegal logging, a criminal enterprise worth up to USD 150 billion annually. This criminal activity is not just an environmental threat, it undermines communities, economies, and the health of our planet. At Wildlife Justice, we’ve spent a decade taking down kingpins and disrupting wildlife trafficking networks. Now, we’re applying the same enforcement-focused approach to tackle timber trafficking. Protecting forests means protecting health, heritage, and livelihoods. Together, we can stop illegal logging and ensure our forests thrive for generations to come. #InternationalForestDay #ProtectOurForests #WildlifeJustice #StopIllegalLogging

Read more about the operation in India: thecsrjournal.in/tarak-nath-gho… Read more about the operation in South Africa: sanews.gov.za/south-africa/s…

This week, we’re seeing encouraging progress in the fight against wildlife crime, where enforcement efforts are moving beyond seizures and increasingly targeting the kingpins behind trafficking networks. ➖ In India, a suspected high-level trafficker linked to a reptile trafficking network in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested. The operation led to the discovery of hundreds of illegally traded animals, pointing to a well-established and organised supply chain rather than isolated activity. ➖ In South Africa, a suspect connected to an international trafficking operation involving rhino horn and lion parts has also been arrested. The case is linked to major seizures in Singapore in late 2025, where shipments containing significant quantities of wildlife products were intercepted en route to Southeast Asia, highlighting the transnational reach of these networks. 💡 Why this matters: Wildlife trafficking at this scale is driven by organised criminal networks, where kingpins coordinate sourcing, transportation, and distribution across borders. While arrests of low-level actors may cause temporary disruption, these networks are often quick to adapt and recover. Wildlife Justice goes after the masterminds, which is far more impactful. Kingpins hold the connections, finances, and operational control that sustain these networks. Removing them can destabilise entire supply chains, disrupt trafficking routes, and create a stronger deterrent against future crimes. Focusing enforcement efforts at this level is essential to achieving long-term disruption, and to ensuring that endangered species are not driven closer to extinction.

🎥 The illegal trade in turtles and tortoises is a multimillion-dollar global industry. 🐢 They are some of the most frequently trafficked—yet overlooked—species in the illegal live wildlife trade. In 2016, Wildlife Justice set out to change that. We launched Operation Dragon to combat major turtle and tortoise trafficking networks operating in South and Southeast Asia. 📊🔍Learn more about our work here: bit.ly/4bl0XOc

Congratulations to the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force, working in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, on the arrest of a suspected kingpin linked to a reptile trafficking network in Uttar Pradesh. The operation led to the seizure of 313 turtles and 2 parakeets 🐢🐦, and represents a significant disruption to a major trafficking network. 💡 Wildlife trafficking at this scale is structured and sustained, requiring targeted action that goes beyond individual seizures to address the networks behind it. Read more here: thecsrjournal.in/tarak-nath-gho…

A suspected rhino horn trafficking kingpin has been arrested in South Africa in an operation led by the @SAPoliceService . 🦏 In November 2025, Singaporean authorities seized 35.7 kilograms of rhino horn in a consignment sent from South Africa and destined for Laos. A few weeks after, Singapore’s National Parks and South African authorities seized a second shipment with 55.4 kilograms of rhino horn and 26.2 kilograms of lion parts that was sent to Singapore. This recent arrest follows the earlier arrest of a co-accused suspect. The two suspects are believed to be involved in the theft of rhino horns, with the intention of smuggling them into the illegal rhino horn market. Both are expected to appear in court shortly. We commend the great work of the South African Police Service, in particular, the members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Wildlife Trafficking Section of the #Hawks, assisted by Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Pretoria K9 Unit, SAPS Head Office Modus Operandi Centre, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

A Malaysian court has handed down record penalties totalling nearly USD 32 million in fines and more than 70 years of combined jail time to three Vietnamese nationals convicted of illegally possessing a huge cache of wildlife parts from iconic and endangered species including pangolins, leopards, tigers, and elephants. 🐘🐆 The case began with a massive seizure from a house located near Taman Negara National Park, one of the last remaining strongholds of the Malayan tiger 🐅, which is listed as Critically Endangered, and many other species. Authorities believe the trio’s operations contributed to significant wildlife losses in the biologically rich area surrounding their base. Congratulations to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN) on this powerful outcome. A strong example of proactive law enforcement in action and a clear message that wildlife crime will be met with serious consequences. Read more here: Malaysian court issues record penalties in case involving over 1,000 wildlife parts - Wildlife Trade News from TRAFFIC

🎥 Vietnamese criminal networks play a major role in driving the trafficking of wildlife products across the Africa-Asia supply chain. 🌎 Through 10 years of investigations, Wildlife Justice analysts have mapped an unprecedented intelligence picture of the major Vietnamese networks. 🗺️ The high-level arrests and prosecutions made possible by Wildlife Justice dismantle Vietnamese criminal networks and send a powerful message wildlife trafficking is a serious crime with the risks now outweighing the rewards. 📊🔍 Find out more here: bit.ly/4bl0XOc

Bili, a young gorilla from the forests of Cameroon, was destined for a life behind bars in a private zoo, due to the ever-growing illegal pet trade. This highly profitable illegal enterprise is driven largely by organised crime groups. At Wildlife Justice, we work tirelessly to fight the illegal pet trade and take down criminal networks. Since 2015, our investigations have led to the rescue of over 13,000 live animals. 🐅🦏🐢 We commend @nytimes for raising awareness of this shocking form of organised crime. Special congratulations to our partners at @CustomsNG for their role in Bili’s rescue. 🗞️ Read the full story: bit.ly/3PaHRli #NYtimes #NewYorkTimes #WildlifeJustice #EndWildlifeCrime #StopWildlifeCrime

🎥 Wildlife Justice’s work in Mozambique led to the arrest of Simon Valoi, aka “Navara”, one of the most notorious and prolific rhino poaching bosses in southern Africa. 🦏 Navara was said to be untouchable, but Wildlife Justice’s innovative investigative strategies helped bring him to justice. 📊🔍 For more information on our key investigations over the last 10 years, scroll through our multimedia interactive web feature “Fighting Wildlife Crime: A Decade of Impact” bit.ly/4bl0XOc.

The @WJCommission saved a tiger cub from a plastic crate using OSINT Industries 🐯 Traffickers hide their crimes online. The Wildlife Justice Commission used @OSINTIndustries to find their digital tracks and stop the sale 👇

🌸 Happy International Women’s Day! ♀ At the Wildlife Justice Commission, women are leading the fight against wildlife crime. 💪 💼 6 of 14 senior manager positions are held by women 🌍 54 of our 111 staff are women—working as investigators, intelligence analysts, lawyers, and communicators—driving #justice for wildlife every day. Today, we celebrate their dedication, expertise, and leadership in protecting wildlife worldwide. #IWD2026 #InternationalWomensDay #WomenAgainstWildlifeCrime #WildlifeJustice #EndWildlifeCrime

Illegal logging and timber trafficking are accelerating the loss of the world’s forests and threatening life on our planet. We’re honoured to announce that the Wildlife Justice Commission has received a three-year grant from the @PostcodeLottery and its players. 🤝 “Today, thanks to a €1.26 million grant from the Postcode Lottery, made possible by its players across the Netherlands, the Wildlife Justice Commission is pleased to bring our proven, intelligence-driven and law-enforcement focused approach to tackling timber trafficking,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission. A big thank you to the Postcode Lottery and its players for helping drive lasting impact for our planet’s forests. Read more here: bit.ly/4rUTnjq #WildlifeJustice #CrimesAffectingTheEnvironment #IllegalLogging #Forestation

🌍 In 2015, at the height of Africa’s poaching crisis, the Wildlife Justice Commission set out on an ambitious mission: to disrupt and dismantle the transnational criminal networks trafficking wildlife, timber, and fish. 🐘🌳🦈 By turning evidence into accountability, we aimed to stop organised crime from driving species to extinction. ⚖️ A decade later, Wildlife Justice is a leading force in the global fight against wildlife crime. Through intelligence-led investigations, undercover operations, law enforcement collaboration, and policy engagement, we deliver real, lasting impact for endangered species. 🕵️‍♀️💡🌱 📲 Explore our story through our new multimedia web feature: bit.ly/4bl0XOc

The Wildlife Justice Commission condemns the attack on @UpembaCD in DRC, the murder of local staff, and the kidnapping of staff including Park Director Tina Lain. The hostages must be freed immediately. These appalling acts are a reminder of the risks brave people take to preserve DRC's natural heritage and save species from extinction. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those affected by this atrocity.

Today, on #WorldWildlifeDay 2026, the Wildlife Justice Commission, working alongside our law enforcement partners, participated in a successful operation in Toliara, #Madagascar, resulting in the arrest of three suspected traffickers and the seizure of 167 critically endangered radiated tortoises destined for the illegal pet trade in Southeast Asia. The operation was led by the Anti-Corruption Agency (DULC) of Madagascar’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), in close cooperation with DREDD South West and the National Police Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) in Toliara. Preliminary investigations indicate that those arrested are linked to a criminal network involved in the trafficking of protected species from Madagascar. Because the investigation is ongoing, further operational details cannot be disclosed at this stage, and investigations remain ongoing to identify additional co-conspirators. Since 1 May 2024, in collaboration with partners including the @USFWS and the @ICCWC_WFC , under the EU Guard Project, as well as multiple domestic enforcement agencies, Wildlife Justice undercover operatives have facilitated: • 27 arrests • The disruption of 5 criminal networks across 4 countries • The seizure of: · 48 lemurs · 793 radiated tortoises · 877 spider tortoises These results demonstrate what intelligence-led, coordinated enforcement can achieve. When governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations work together, it is possible to stop wildlife crime. The Wildlife Justice Commission remains committed to disrupting criminal networks and saving species from extinction.

Tomorrow is World Wildlife Day, as the world celebrates the power and potential of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), Wildlife Justice is proud to help protect and preserve forests by fighting illegal logging. Using our intelligence-driven, enforcement-focused approach we tackle timber trafficking by targeting the criminal networks behind illegal logging and supporting authorities to protect the ecosystems that sustain both people and planet. Medicinal and aromatic plants are vital for both human health and ecological balance. 🌿 In developing countries, 70–95% of people rely on traditional medicine for primary healthcare, while many modern pharmaceuticals are still derived from natural sources. Beyond medicine, these plants support industries from cosmetics to food and luxury goods, and help stabilise soils, sustain biodiversity, and provide resources for pollinators. 🐝 Nowhere is this more evident than in the Amazon rainforest, often called the “Earth’s Medicine Cabinet.” 🌱 This vast ecosystem holds thousands of plant species used in traditional medicine for centuries, making it a critical source of healthcare solutions and cultural heritage. But these resources are under threat. Illegal logging and timber trafficking are driving deforestation, undermining the Amazon’s role as the planet’s largest remaining carbon sink and putting countless medicinal species at risk. Protecting our forests means protecting health, heritage, and livelihoods. #WorldWildlifeDay #WWD2026 #MedicinalPlants #Amazon #WildlifeJustice

This seahorse illustration is part of Angela Manno’s “The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle”, a 36-card collection that celebrates threatened species and the conservation efforts protecting them. Seahorses are small but highly vulnerable, often caught for medicine, souvenirs, and the aquarium trade. The Wildlife Justice Commission works to expose the illegal networks trafficking marine species. Learn more about seahorses and ways to help: bit.ly/4kThXhT Discover the full deck and guidebook 📖✨: bit.ly/4bccgav

The viral story of Punch, the young Japanese macaque clinging to a stuffed toy, has captured global attention—and provides a reminder of the horrors of the illegal primate trade. This multibillion-dollar industry preys on infant primates, removing them from the wild and, in many cases, killing the mother. Surviving infants are then passed through trafficking networks, advertised online, transported across borders, and sold as exotic pets. While Punch’s situation is not linked to trafficking, his story highlights the vulnerability of infant primates. Earlier this year, four orangutans were rescued from the illegal pet trade and returned from Thailand to Indonesia. They are now at a rehabilitation centre, and will soon be released into the wild—a reminder of what coordinated action between law enforcement and international partners can achieve.

Share this post to help raise awareness and be part of the global effort to #ProtectPangolins.

Swipe through to learn why pangolins are one of the most trafficked mammals on Earth—and why they need our protection now. From their unique keratin scales to their gentle, shy nature, these remarkable animals have survived for millions of years. Today, illegal trade is pushing them toward extinction.