Giraffe bones, whale meat and monkey skull seized by Department of Conservation during crackdown on wildlife crime

The monkey skull and giraffe bones.
The monkey skull and giraffe bones. Photo credit: Supplied/Department of Conservation.

A slew of illegal animal products have been seized by the Department of Conservation (DoC) following an international crackdown on wildlife crime.

Dubbed Operation Thunder, the bust involved 103 countries including Aotearoa and ran through September and October.

DoC reported 53 seizures of illegal imports - including giraffe bones, dried shark meat, whale teeth, a monkey skull and canned whale meat.

Globally more than 45,000 live animals and plants were seized. A total of 699 offenders were apprehended and further arrests and prosecutions are anticipated.

In New Zealand, seven infringement notices were issued for fines between $600 and $800. DoC is also pursuing prosecution against a small number of illegal importers of wildlife products.

 Endangered Species Officer Jan McKeown says the trade of illegal animal products is relentless.

"Even with the New Zealand border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still experiencing a continuous illegal influx of unpermitted protected wildlife.

"The ability to purchase internationally online is not a guarantee your purchase can be legally imported into New Zealand  please do your background research before pushing the 'buy now' button."