Police and volunteers save over 4,000 animals from smugglers

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Police in east China’s Jiangxi Province successfully rescued thousands of wild animals from a suspected smugglers’ truck with the help of a group of wildlife volunteers.

A total of 4,300 birds and mammals, along with 600 kilograms of snakes were saved. At least a dozen of the seized animals are currently protected species in China.

Beijing Youth Daily Photo

In order to catch the criminals, volunteers waited at a 24/7 freeway service station in east China’s Anhui Province for two days. The volunteers had been notified of a truck carrying wildlife, which started out in Anhui Province and was en route to south China’s Guangdong Province.

The vehicle was stopped by police in Nanchang in Jiangxi Province on Friday early morning. Three suspects were arrested.

Weibo Photo

Some of the animals found in the truck included 2,175 night herons, 1,370 moorhens, 25 masked palm civets and several wild boars that were placed in scores of cages and boxes.

Most of the rescued animals were still alive, according to a volunteer surnamed Fan. However, ”some of the birds were too weak. Unfortunately, several birds were found dead,” Fan told Beijing Youth Daily.

Weibo Photo

The case is still under investigation. However, police have confirmed that the three suspects on the truck did not have any certificates confirming they can legally transport these wild animals.

Weibo Photo

China continues to ensure stricter law enforcement to combat illegal wildlife trade. According to the country’s laws and regulations, sales, purchases, commercial use, transportation and personal use of protected wildlife or their products require permits issued by wildlife authorities.

The laws and regulations of China inflict severe penalties for those who break the rules, fining up to ten times the actual value of the concerned goods or facing life imprisonment.