During closed-door sessions, delegates exchanged updates on ongoing cases and identified focal points within relevant government agencies in other countries.
20 October 2025 - For the 9th iteration of the Wildlife Inter-Regional Enforcement (WIRE) Forum, 137 representatives from law enforcement agencies, judicial institutions, environmental ministries, non-governmental organizations and the private sector from over 35 African, Asian and European countries met in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss ongoing cases, successful enforcement operations, trends in wildlife crime, and new tools to improve detection. Here are 5 highlights from the discussions.
WIRE’s closed-door bilateral meetings continued to deliver tangible results. Over the course of three days, more than 35 bilateral sessions were held between countries to identify contact points, discuss ongoing cases, and identify opportunities for joint operations. Several sessions led to sharing of information on ongoing investigations, exchange of contacts between national authorities and a better understanding of each partner’s counter wildlife crime strategies.
“Through the WIRE Forum, many countries have coordinated cross-border operations, followed the money, and built stronger cases that have resulted in several high-profile, successful adjudications” said Ms. Delphine Schantz, Regional Representative for UNODC’s Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in reference to previous WIRE meetings. Many delegates left Bangkok with direct contacts and useful information on long-stalled cases.
Cases discussed at WIRE involved the cross-border movement of live animals, including endangered species seized in transit. Successful repatriation requires early and sustained coordination between customs, law enforcement, environmental authorities, and, in many instances, civil society and the private sector.
One standout example was the high-profile repatriation of nearly 1,000 endangered lemurs and tortoises from Thailand to Madagascar in late 2024, led by Thailand and Madagascar authorities, and supported by UNODC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Justice Commission. Once in safe custody, the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme mobilized private sector partners, including Qatar Airways Cargo and Airlink, which provided free transport to return the animals home. The continued investigation resulted in seizures and arrests in both countries, prosecutions in Madagascar and ongoing work in Thailand. This global operation demonstrated what is possible when multiple actors across regions and sectors come together.
In cooperation with United for Wildlife, WIRE participants heard the perspectives from the private sector.
Participants from both source and destination countries agreed that this kind of collaboration is essential, not only for the safe return of trafficked wildlife but also for building trust between agencies and dismantling the criminal supply chains behind the trade. As Pol. Capt.Wisanu Chimtrakul, Deputy Chief of Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations noted, "Law enforcement and the prosecution of organized wildlife trafficking groups is a matter of critical importance that requires the collective efforts from all sectors. Another matter of great importance is the return of wildlife to their natural habitats - restoring their inherent right to life and enabling them to exist freely in accordance with nature.”
This year’s WIRE included increased engagement with the transport and financial sectors, marking an important step toward improving detection and avenues for investigation. In collaboration with private sector actors, participants showed that the increase in cyber-enabled wildlife crimes further exploit mail, air mail and fast parcel services. Participants welcomed the growing support of the private sector, stressing that frontline detection capacity multiplies when public and private actors collaborate.
Several new digital and analytical tools were presented during WIRE 2025, including PELTS (a portable enforcement laboratory for testing wildlife seizures), the xylorix (an AI model for wood identification), a scanner to identify chips in rhino horns, and EarthRanger, a software solution that uses real-time intelligence for wildlife protection. CITES Secretariat and the Wildlife Trade National Parks Board of Singapore also invited the participants to work on case studies to better detect CITES fraudulent permits. Participants discovered how these tools can be applied and integrated into national systems.
Passive RFID microchips embedded in rhino horns help verify the origin of rhinoceroses during seizures
TRAFFIC presented the xylorix enforcer app, an AI model for wood identification.
TRACE presented PELTS, a portable laboratory providing DNA species identification of seized animal parts and products.
EarthRanger combines real-time data from ranger patrols and remote imaging to help protected area managers make informed operational decisions.
Discussions revealed several emerging trends, including a rise in green-collar crime and wildlife laundering, increased trafficking of non-CITES-listed species, marine and timber species, and the growing involvement of armed groups in wildlife and timber trafficking. Participants also reported a notable surge in rhinoceros poaching, facilitated through both marine and air transport routes, and raised the alarm on the threats surrounding the legal-illegal trade overlap.
In response, countries called for enhanced use of wildlife DNA forensics to better trace the origins of trafficked animals, as well as improved intelligence sharing to map criminal networks and support predictive enforcement actions. As traffickers diversify their methods and targets, enforcement authorities emphasized that timely intelligence exchange and strengthened inter-regional cooperation are essential to remain adaptive and effective.
As WIRE approaches its 10th edition in 2026, the urgency to adapt to evolving trends and increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks has never been clearer. “Thanks to your remarkable commitment, this event provided a rich framework for exchanges, reflection, and collaboration around the crucial issues related to renewable energy and the empowerment of women in the sector. This forum was a powerful moment of dialogue, innovation, and networking. It represents an important step in building sustainable, inclusive, and concrete solutions for our common future.” highlighted Sory Ibrahima Diallo, Commander of the National Brigade for the Fight against Fauna and Flora Crime of Guinea.
Participants expressed strong interest in building on this year’s momentum through even closer operational collaboration, more engagement with non-traditional partners, and continued innovation. With a decade of experience behind it, WIRE is well-positioned to set the tone for the future of inter-regional wildlife crime enforcement.
Click here to learn more about UNODC's Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment
The event, organized by the Environment Team of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), benefited from the financial support of the European Union (EU), Canada and ICCWC.
