The first wildlife preserve in Shanghai was established in the Dongtan area of Nanhui District on Tuesday and aims to protect birds such as white cranes and little stints.
Many migrant and domestic birds nest along the 40.3-km-long beach area.
Anyone hunting in the area will be faced with punishment, according to established regulations for wildlife sanctuaries.
This means anyone who traps or kills wild animals will forfeit their prey, hunting equipment and income made from the illegal activity. They will also be fined.
Serious offenders - defined as a hunter with 20 wild animals - will be treated as criminal cases. Hunters with 50 or more prey will receive a criminal penalty.
"The wild animals, whatever they are doing, are part of the sanctuary," Cai Youming, vice-director of the Shanghai Gardening Bureau, said.
According to statistics from the wildlife protection station in Nanhui district, there were more than 30 campaigns against illegal hunting in 2006; 2,860 birds and more than 200 kg of frogs, toads and snakes were confiscated.
Workers at the station have repeatedly removed traps and nets but have not been able to seriously punish transgressors. Often, those caught were serial offenders.
Source: China Daily
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