2024 Annual Report: a transformative year in the fight against wildlife crime
Wildlife Justice Commission
Law enforcement and legal experts fighting transnational organised wildlife crime. #wildlifejustice
Dear friends and supporters,
I am proud and excited to share with you the Wildlife Justice Commission’s (WJC) 2024 Annual Report — along with other important updates — which captures a year of bold action, global cooperation, and tremendous impact in our fight against transnational wildlife crime.
Explore the interactive version of the Annual Report
In 2024, we dismantled 16 transnational criminal networks and expanded our work into new regions. We supported our law enforcement partners in successful operations, resulting in 84 arrests and significant seizures in Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, as well as across Southeast Asia and South America.
Our greatest impact was seen in the disruption of pangolin scale trafficking networks in West Africa, where WJC intelligence and investigations directly contributed to the seizure of 12,214 kg of pangolin scales, representing up to 65,000 pangolins killed and accounting for 79% of all pangolin scales seized globally in 2024.
The WJC also made significant progress in elevating wildlife crime as a priority on the international agenda and shaping policy to enhance the global response to wildlife trafficking. We contributed to the development of five key international policies and supported the drafting of a new international convention: the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. Additionally, we participated in 13 high-level international conferences, where we called for the prioritisation of the fight against wildlife crime and advocated for the recognition of wildlife crime as serious organised crime.
We also delivered 16 targeted intelligence and capability-building training programs to local law enforcement across Mozambique, Botswana, Philippines, and Thailand. These sessions focused on enhancing investigative techniques, sharing best practices, and promoting cross-border collaboration to more effectively combat transnational wildlife crime.
From landmark arrests and convictions to strengthened policy influence and strategic partnerships, 2024 marks our most impactful and transformative year to date, made possible by the steadfast support of our donors, partners, and supporters.
As wildlife trafficking remains one of the most urgent threats to biodiversity today, the WJC reflects on past successes — such as our unprecedented disruption of pangolin trafficking networks in Nigeria and more broadly West Africa — and continues to drive global efforts towards a world free from wildlife crime.
I invite you to explore our 2024 Annual Report to learn more about the impact we’ve made and the momentum we’re building together.
Three ball pythons rescued and one suspect in Thailand
On 2 July, Thai customs, with support from a WJC surveillance team, intercepted a Sri Lankan national attempting to smuggle three ball pythons hidden inside his clothing at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The suspect was arrested, and the snakes were safely rescued.
Ball pythons are protected under CITES Appendix II, meaning their international trade is regulated and requires proper authorisation and documentation. Transporting them without these permits constitutes a violation of international wildlife law.
This joint operation between Thai and Sri Lanka Customs, with support from the WJC, is a strong example of cross-border collaboration to disrupt the illegal pet trade — one of the fastest-growing forms of wildlife crime.
Turning intelligence into impact: Building capabilities with GI-TOC
This month, we partnered with the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) to deliver an open-source intelligence (OSINT) training as part of GI-TOC’s ECO-SOLVE programme.
The virtual course equipped wildlife crime investigators and analysts from Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, and Thailand with vital OSINT techniques to detect, document, analyse, and disrupt online illegal wildlife trade (IWT). Participants gained access to our Online Resource Centre for Analysis (ORCA) and received expert instruction from WJC’s senior intelligence analysts and trainers — with decades of real-world experience in disrupting wildlife crime.
By empowering local capacity and fostering cross-border collaboration, together with GI-TOC, we’re helping to turn intelligence into impact.
Shark Week: Protecting the Ocean's most iconic predator
Last week, we celebrated Shark Week! As global attention turned to the ocean’s apex predators, we were reminded of the essential role sharks play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Known as the “doctors of the sea”, sharks regulate biodiversity and help keep ocean life in balance — yet they now face unprecedented threats.
Every year, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed, driven largely by demand for shark fin soup and traditional medicine. With over one-third of all shark species now threatened with extinction, this illegal trade is disrupting marine ecosystems — and by extension, the health of our planet.
At the WJC, we turn intelligence into action: supporting law enforcement, building capacity, and driving policy change. Our model has delivered significant results in terrestrial wildlife crime — and we are now applying this strategy to fight fisheries crime.
We target the often-overlooked land-based elements of organised criminal networks trafficking vulnerable marine species. Through intelligence-led investigations, we expose illegal fisheries supply chains and pursue the high-level actors driving the trade — those operating far from the ocean but profiting from its exploitation. This includes dismantling the networks trafficking shark fins and other protected marine species.
The ocean needs sharks. And sharks need protection. The WJC is committed to delivering impact — from intelligence to arrest — to help secure a future where marine species can thrive. Read more about our marine investigations.
Support our work and help us protect sharks and other vulnerable species
In the media!
We are thrilled to see the WJC’s work highlighted in major media outlets worldwide. These stories are helping raise awareness about the pervasive issue of wildlife crime and the crucial work we, alongside our partners, are doing to combat it.
Warm wishes,
Olivia Swaak-Goldman
Executive Director.
Saving species from extinction