Shanghai´s first no-hunting zone set up

Shanghai's first no-hunting zone has been set up in the suburban Nanhui District. The move is aimed at crack down on illegal wild animal hunters slipping through a legal loophole.

The new no-hunting zone is located on the east shore of Nanhui district, covering an area of more than 120 square kilometres. Officials say all wild animals living or located within the zone are legally protected from hunting. Any hunters found poaching animals will not only be fined, but possibly face criminal charges if hunting more than 50 animials.

Zhou Jianming, director of Nanhui Wild Animal Protection STN., said, "After the establishment of the no-hunting zone, we'll adhere to the standards and regulations of such a zone. Severe punishment will be imposed on illegal hunters. "

Currently, due to a legal loophole, officials can only confiscate illegal poacher's quarry and issue warnings. Many of these hunters, therefore, are repeat offenders. Officials in Nanhui enforced 30 raids on illegal hunting last year, seizing more than 2,800 birds, 400 kilos of frogs, and a range of other edible species.