THE WORLD
Big Cats, Big Money
Police and customs officials around the world seized thousands of endangered animals and arrested nearly 600 suspects in what authorities billed as the most widespread anti-wildlife-trafficking operation ever.
The World Customs Organization and Interpol collaborated to conduct nearly 2,000 raids in June, resulting in the recovery of nearly 10,000 live turtles and tortoises, nearly 1,500 live reptiles, 23 live apes, 30 live big cats, hundreds of pieces of elephant tusk, half a ton of ivory and five rhino horns, the Associated Press reported.
The two agencies mobilized a joint network covering 109 countries, Interpol’s wildlife expert Henri Fournel told the agency.
Operation Thunderball, headquartered in Singapore, led to the arrest of 582 suspects, Interpol said.
Wildlife crime is the largest threat to three of the world’s most iconic species, elephants, rhinos and tigers, according to the World Wildlife Fund. At the same time, illegal trade in wildlife is worth as much as $10 billion annually.
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