Operation ENCANTO, in collaboration with IUCN Netherlands and other partners, is an ongoing long-term intelligence-gathering operation aimed at investigating environmental crime convergence causing deforestation and destruction of the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil and Colombia, particularly as it relates to land grabbing, cattle ranching, and illegal mining. The operation's goals are to enhance law enforcement's capacity [...]

Operation STELLA MARIS A Long-Term Intelligence Gathering Operation Against Shark Fin Trafficking and Crime Convergence Operation STELLA MARIS is a pioneering long-term intelligence-gathering operation conducted by Earth League International (ELI) to combat the illegal trafficking of shark fins from Latin America to Asia. Launched in 2019, and still going, this comprehensive operation not only targets [...]

The Totoaba Illegal Supply Chain – From Mexico’s Totoaba Cartels to China’s Totoaba Maw Wholesalers
An Illegal Trade Killing the Vaquita

Earth League International (ELI) and Partners Uncover a Major Wildlife Trafficking Network in Europe, Leading to a Law Enforcement Operation and Arrest in The Netherlands. Operation OLD WORLD, launched by ELI in 2021, was dedicated to exposing and gathering intelligence on an intricate network responsible for smuggling illegal wildlife products from China to Europe, largely intended [...]

Operation HUMMINGBIRD Enhancing Costa Rica’s Capacity to Counter Wildlife Trafficking   Launched in 2022, Operation HUMMINGBIRD was a pivotal initiative aimed at dismantling wildlife trafficking networks and reducing the ability of criminal groups to profit from poaching and trafficking protected animals and their body parts, particularly in Costa Rica. The operation focused on disrupting these [...]

Top Totoaba and Marine Animals International Traffickers Have Been Arrested in the U.S. with the Support of Earth League International May 31, 2023. A big victory for the last remaining vaquitas and the marine life in Baja California. With the technical support of Earth League International (ELI), after a long investigation, U.S. Law Enforcement agencies decapitated [...]

Operation JAGUAR Investigating the trafficking of jaguar parts from Latin America to Asia   Earth League International began investigating the trafficking of jaguar parts in 2017. Operation JAGUAR was launched in 2019, in collaboration with IUCN Netherlands and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and funded by the Dutch Postcode Lottery. The goals of this multi-year operation were to [...]

Operation OX: Investigating the Sale of Illegal Ivory in the European Union    Within Europe, it is still legal to trade worked ivory originally acquired before 1947 without restriction. For the first time, this study shows that this legal trade is covering up an illegal trade. There is a widespread practice in countries across Europe [...]

OPERATION MOZART Thailand: Earth League International's intelligence gathering efforts led to the arrest of wildlife crime kingpins, including one of the most significant rhino horn traffickers in South East Asia. Bangkok, 12 December 2017. The Royal Thai Customs seizes 12.5 kg of rhino horn setting the stage for a ‘flash operation’ that has led to the [...]

Chimpanzees Rescue in Africa   Operation Jane, named in honor of Dr. Jane Goodall, is one of Earth League International’s standing projects and our only non-investigative project. In collaboration with Annie Olivecrona, based in Kenya, Earth League International funds and operationally supports the identification and rescue of chimpanzee victims of wildlife crime being held captive across Africa. [...]

In response to unprecedented growth in rhinoceros poaching rates and enduring consumer demand for rhinoceros horn in both China and Vietnam, we launched Operation RED CLOUD in 2016 Operation RED CLOUD was the first undercover investigation into rhino horn trafficking in China in decades. This 11-month intelligence-gathering and investigative operation was designed to expose and map [...]

OPERATION AUSTRALIA In Spring 2016, the Earth League International (formerly Elephant Action League) commenced an investigation codenamed Operation AUSTRALIA in Thailand, targeting the trafficking of live orangutans and birds from Indonesia for the illegal live pet trade. Intelligence was obtained that POI (Person of Interest) Mr. Pichet Muangrsi, aka Galim, was in possession of four [...]

A groundbreaking undercover investigation on transnational ivory trafficking in mainland China and Hong Kong Near the end of 2014, the Elephant Action League (now Earth League International) recognized the need for an investigation in mainland China and Hong Kong, focusing on the ivory trade. The goal was to expose how illegal ivory infiltrates the legal [...]

OPERATION VIEWPOINT An undercover survey of the Port of Mombasa by the Elephant Action League & WildLeaks reveals important vulnerabilities and weaknesses in shipping security procedures and confirms how corruption facilitates the role of the port as a major hub in ivory trafficking, with serious national and international security implications. Los Angeles, May 28, 2015 [...]