In November 2024, UK authorities seized over 5,000 wild bird eggs in the country's largest-ever bust of its kind, highlighting the ongoing threat of illegal wildlife trade. This operation, part of the international crackdown known as Operation Pulka, began in Norway in 2023 and has since led to the seizure of over 56,000 eggs and the arrest of 16 individuals globally. Despite being outlawed under laws such as the UK’s Wildlife Countryside Act of 1981 and CITES regulations, the illicit collection and trade of wild bird eggs – especially from birds of prey prized for falconry – remains lucrative, driven by private collectors and international networks. Experts warn that the trade not only violates conservation laws but also contributes to the decline of already threatened bird populations, compounding threats from climate change, disease, and habitat loss.