Appeals by religious leaders fall on deaf ears

Although many people cite religious beliefs as their motivation for the unauthorized release of animals into the wild, religious leaders do not condone the practice.

In 2014, the Buddhist Association of China and the Taoist Association of China released a joint statement urging followers to adhere to the law when contemplating releasing animals.

"We have repeatedly appealed to our followers to respect the ecosystem and the laws and regulations before they release any animals," said Huang Xinyang, vice-president of the Taoist Association of China.