Forestry law-enforcement officers in south China's Guangdong
Province confiscated 30,335 head of wildlife in a province-wide
special operation launched to protect wild animals and prevent
transmission of diseases between human beings and animals.
During the operation, dubbed "green sword," officers searched 991
markets and 6,617 hotels and restaurants, and inspected motor
vehicles used for trafficking wildlife.
Among the seized wildlife, 15 were classified as protected, and
some of the confiscated animals were already dead.
Officers also seized 43,405 kg of wildlife products, withdrew 2,197
permits for trading or consumption of wildlife, detained two
suspects, and seized a number of hunting tools and vehicles used
for wildlife trafficking.
The consumption of exotic species of animal is traditional and
widespread in Guangdong, one of the areas worst hit by severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS). On April 2, the World Health
Organization (WHO) issued an advisory against travel to Guangdong,
which was lifted on May 23.
Earlier reports said scientists in China had traced a virus similar
to SARS to the civet cat and the raccoon, both of which are found
living wild in Guangdong and other parts of China.
(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2003)