Shen, a Chinese wildlife trafficker, was caught by local authorities for transporting unusual cargo. His refrigerated lorry contained 107 frozen protected sea turtles. To raise public awareness regarding environment protection and public health safety, more cases were shared online as well.
This man was sentenced to 13 years in jail, supplemented by a fine of $21,000. Consequently, two other residents who sold four of these turtles to the wild animal trafficker were also arrested.
Although this crime took place on October 18, 2018, a local court in Zhejiang released the report to teach the public the consequences of wildlife trafficking. Other cases include illegal hunting, preserving endangered wildlife, and selling wild animal products.
It was calculated that the worth of the 107 sea turtles amounted to almost $421,200.
'The court actively implemented the concept of restorative justice' a local article states, where Shen and the two other arrested men 'should bear the loss of wildlife resources or ecological damage compensation.' The money was used for ecological restoration after the court decision.
Tracking the Exotic Animal Trade Activity
The Cambridge University Press published a journal in 2017, recognizing the relationship between China's laws and international treaties.
Wild animals and products have found their way in China through illegal trafficking, becoming one of the world's biggest wildlife markets.
Notable products include precious raw materials made from ivory, turtle shells, and rhinoceros' horns. Popular smuggled animals include birds, lizards, turtles, and monkeys. Illegal activity conflicts with the interest to preserve endangered animals protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Locals may justify that the demand for these supplies come from the lack of materials needed for traditional Chinese medicine. They struggle sourcing out products like bear bile and pangolins, the most trafficked mammal in the world.
China has made efforts in taking stricter measures with punishing and preventing illegal wild animal trafficking. This birthed the Wild Animals Protection Law, which includes the smuggled sea turtles.
The Cambridge paper also notes that the country needs to 'ensure that law enforcement is continuous, strict, and uniform across all districts.'
Wuhan Take Steps Toward Animal Protection
Yesterday, Wuhan's authorities confirmed that exotic animals are banned from being farmed - including pangolins, lions, and bats. 'Breeders will be offered a one-time cash payment' in efforts to end exotic animals on a national scale.
Hunting and artificial breeding for research purposes may continue operating but are under strict management. With these recent developments, activities which were not treated as crimes before now recognized as an illegal.
The Notice of the Municipal People's Government on Prohibiting the Consumption of Wild Animals and Strict Wildlife Protection and Management strictly prohibits illegal wildlife trading while aiming to increase publicity and education of wildlife protection for the next 5 years.
Furthermore, since it is believed that the coronavirus started in a wet market in Wuhan, China changes the status of dogs from 'livestock' to 'pets.' Humane Society International spokesperson Wendy Higgins stated that 'this draft proposal could signal a game-changer moment for animal protection in China.'
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