Many blind eyes allow wildlife trade to thrive

LAST WEEK, a 21-year-old woman in Weinan, Northwest Shaanxi province, was declared brain dead after she was bitten by a coral snake she bought as a pet online. Who should be blamed for the tragedy? China Youth Daily comments:

Coral snakes, which are highly venomous, are a national protected species, which means it is illegal to sell them. The woman who bought the snake was obviously at fault as well as the seller. According to reports, the 21-year-old woman told the seller she wanted to purchase the snake so she could brew medicinal wine. The girl's friends and family, however, said she was keeping the snake as a pet.

The trade in endangered species, including poisonous snakes, is conducted openly through various channels, as the companies that operate the e-commerce platforms and the express delivery enterprises turn a blind eye to the illegal trade.