Netherlands seizes over 90 illegal taxidermy animals in global wildlife crime operation
Dutch authorities seized more than 90 protected, illegally traded taxidermy animals in Brabant and confiscated additional wildlife products across the country during a large international enforcement action targeting wildlife crime, according to the press release from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the Dutch agency responsible for permits and oversight related to protected species.
Inspectors from RVO and NVWA found a large collection of illegal taxidermy animals, skeletons, and carcasses at the business of a 24-year-old trader in Noord-Brabant. The collection included lions, monkeys, black bears, and several protected bird species, including birds of paradise, vultures, and palm cockatoos. The man was found to have falsified documents and could not prove the legality of the animals.
Authorities later inspected another company location, where dozens of dead animals were stored in a freezer, with an estimated value of around 200,000 euros. Their origin was also unclear. In a home in Arnhem, authorities seized a mounted wolf and an elephant tusk described as raw ivory.
Inspectors also found large quantities of shark fins, coral, pills, powders, and beverages containing protected plant material in mail shipments, aircraft cargo holds, and with travelers.
RVO has moved all seized items to undisclosed storage facilities. Most of the material will be destroyed to prevent it from returning to the illegal market.
The actions were carried out as part of Operatie Thunder, an annual INTERPOL-led global operation aimed at identifying criminal networks involved in the illegal trade in endangered animals and plants. In the Netherlands, the effort involved RVO, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Customs, police, and the Public Prosecution Service.
Dutch law requires that all trade in endangered animals and plants be backed by proof of legal origin. RVO and NVWA enforce these rules on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature.
RVO is also responsible for issuing import, export, and EU certificates for protected species under CITES, the international agreement designed to ensure that global trade does not drive wild species to extinction. This month, the CITES conference in Uzbekistan set updated rules determining which species will receive stricter or less strict protection.
Operatie Thunder has been organized by INTERPOL since 2017 and, since 2019, jointly with the World Customs Organization. Each year, the operation spans approximately a month, with this year's enforcement period occurring from mid-September to mid-October.
