The illegal wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative and devastating criminal enterprises in the world, driving species toward extinction and fueling organized crime. Traffickers operate with alarming ease, often using social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps to conduct their illicit business in plain sight. However, innovative investigative techniques and intelligence-driven enforcement are proving to be powerful tools in dismantling these networks and holding traffickers accountable. In this edition of Stories from the Bush, we highlight a partner organization at the forefront of this fight—Orthemis Ltd.
A Unique Approach to Fighting Wildlife Crime
Orthemis Ltd. is a leader in undercover investigations, working alongside law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies to combat organized crime. Their highly skilled team of former police officers and security experts specializes in both physical and online undercover operations. Their expertise spans multiple crime types, including child exploitation, terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
Recognizing that wildlife crime is similar to other forms of organized crime, Orthemis developed the Undercover Online (UCOL) training program—an innovative approach designed to equip law enforcement with the skills needed to infiltrate and investigate criminal networks operating in digital spaces. As traffickers increasingly exploit social media and encrypted messaging apps to conduct their illicit trade, UCOL provides officers with the tools to track, expose, and disrupt these operations. Beyond working with government agencies, Orthemis has also partnered with the non-governmental organization Focused Conservation, combining their investigative expertise to strengthen global efforts in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
A Partnership Rooted in Innovation
Orthemis first collaborated with Focused Conservation in 2022 when they were invited to provide Beyond OSINT training for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Unlike traditional Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), this training incorporated undercover online tactics to penetrate wildlife trafficking networks and gather actionable intelligence on wildlife crime.
Following the training, Orthemis and Focused Conservation joined forces in several investigative operations. Their combined efforts yielded unprecedented results—identifying traffickers who had previously eluded law enforcement, targeting key players, and uncovering new offenders. The success of these investigations not only led to law enforcement action but also bolstered the confidence and capabilities of the NCS, creating a more effective force against wildlife crime.
Breaking New Ground in Wildlife Trafficking Investigations
When Orthemis and Focused Conservation first deployed their joint intelligence-driven approach, it was an untested tactic in the field of wildlife crime in Nigeria. The results were eye-opening. Not only did they identify and track numerous traffickers—ranging from small-time sellers to major players in organized crime—but they also exposed the sheer scale of the illegal trade, which stretched far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Traffickers offered everything from African Grey Parrots and pangolins to crocodiles and white lions, with supply chains extending into Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, and even the United States. What began as a Nigeria-focused investigation quickly turned into an international effort, highlighting the global nature of wildlife crime.
One case that stands out as a testament to the power of intelligence-driven enforcement involved an elusive trafficker selling African Grey Parrots. This individual had evaded law enforcement for years, remaining highly cautious and avoiding physical meetings. Within a short period, Orthemis tracked him online, established contact, and arranged a purchase. Working closely with NCS officers trained in undercover operations, they orchestrated a meeting. Not only was the trafficker arrested, but the head of his organized crime gang—who had previously remained in the shadows—was also taken into custody. The parrots were rescued, and a significant trafficking network was dismantled.
“Whenever there is significant financial reward and an effective supply route, the temptation will be great…When we can make the risk outweigh the reward, we believe we will have turned the corner in the fight against wildlife trafficking,” says David Eames, Managing Director of Orthemis Ltd.
In recent years, wildlife traffickers have become more sophisticated, using social media and encrypted communication channels to conduct business. Unlike popular belief, much of this activity does not occur on the dark web but on widely used platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
Orthemis has adapted to these evolving tactics by integrating online undercover operations with traditional enforcement strategies. Their expertise in cyber infiltration allows them to identify key individuals, track supply routes, and uncover criminal organizations operating in the illegal wildlife trade. Their efforts have also demonstrated that wildlife crime is deeply intertwined with other forms of organized crime, with many traffickers viewing wildlife as a low-risk, high-reward commodity compared to drugs or firearms.
Looking to the Future
Orthemis Ltd. is committed to building long-term investigative capacity for wildlife enforcement, particularly in Africa. Their partnership with Focused Conservation is set to continue in 2025, with a focus on training local law enforcement to independently conduct undercover online operations. The goal is to create a sustainable model where trained officers become the future experts in the field, capable of gathering intelligence and taking action against traffickers in real-time.
The success of Orthemis and Focused Conservation’s collaboration serves as a powerful reminder that innovation, intelligence-sharing, and cross-boundary partnerships are key to combating wildlife crime. Without the tireless efforts of law enforcement officers and organizations like these, many endangered species would already be lost.
