A man in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province was sentenced to one year in prison for catching a macaque and trying to keep it as a pet.

In an open outdoor court session in late May, over 150 local residents attended the trial, during which the court decided that the defendant surnamed Lu broke the law when he illegally caught the wild animal. The man also breached the provincial ban on hunting.

In October last year, Lu bought some traps online and laid one in the forest. He later discovered a macaque in the trap, took it home and kept it in a cage until someone called the police a few days later.

Lu was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation period and a fine of 3,000 yuan (about 420 U.S. dollars). He was also ruled to print and distribute 2,000 copies of wildlife protection education material and make a public apology.

Lu pleaded guilty, deciding to not appeal against the verdict.  

The five-year-old monkey, which is under second-class state protection in China, was injured by the trap.

It was released into the wild after recovery.

(Cover image via VCG)

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