China arrests three for endangered animal trade

The smuggling ring is believed to killed over 40 bears for their parts with an estimated total value of $3.2 million.

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Agence France-Presse

Tue, Jun 26 2012 at 4:40 PM

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Endangered Species

POACHED: The carcass of a Malayan pangolin was included in the animal trafficking bust in China. (Photo: Jimin Lai/AFP)

BEIJING — Police in southern China have arrested three men for dealing in bear parts and other endangered animals, some possibly smuggled from Vietnam, the official Xinhua news agency said on June 26.

Police in the Guangxi region busted the criminal gang earlier this month and seized "hundreds" of bear paws, bear meat and carcasses of other animals including pangolins and tortoises, it said.

The trafficking ring is believed to have slaughtered 43 bears for their parts, estimated to have a value of 20 million yuan ($3.2 million), Xinhua said.

In China, bear gall bladders are used in traditional medicine while bear paws are an expensive delicacy.

Xinhua said the seized animals were sourced in Guangxi's Dongxing city on the border with Vietnam and sold across southern China.

Chinese authorities have previously seized snakes and turtles smuggled from Vietnam, it said.

Police in Nanning city, where the men were arrested, declined to comment on June 26.

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Comments: 2

treehugginpenforhire Jun 28 2012 at 10:24 AM

I can't really think of too many crimes more heinous than killing or smuggling endangered species. The pangolin that is pictured with this story is a gentle anteater that has absolutely no ability to defend itself against an attack. If threatened, it rolls into a ball and covers its head with its tail. In other words, it is heartbreakingly easy pickings for ruthless smugglers. I've written a petition asking China to crack down on imports of endangered species: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/702/262/143/

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save-thai-pangolins/ If you agree, I hope you will sign it and share with friends.

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Guest Jul 02 2012 at 5:00 PM

I can think of something more heinous than smuggling or killing endangered species. Skinning animals while they are still alive for fashion. Beating them, breaking their bones, electrocutions, stabbings, hangings. Torture really, in short. A species being endangered is only man's loss if it dies out and extinction means no more suffering. Unfortunately animals kept for their fur are termed as 'sustainable resources' so the suffering for them just goes on and on and on. Having said all that, any

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animal cruelty is heinous. China has a shocking record of animal abuse, and they don't desrve to have any animals left in their country

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