China intensifies crackdown on wildlife crimes, 37,000 cases filed

As part of intensified efforts to protect biodiversity and ecological security, Chinese police have filed 37,000 criminal cases involving damage to wildlife and plant resources since 2025, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Friday, the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Since the beginning of this year, public security authorities nationwide have carried out special operations targeting crimes such as harming birds and poisoning ancient and famous trees, with the handling of 59 major cases under the guidance of the ministry.

In one such case, police in Xiangyang, Hubei province, uncovered a criminal enterprise involving rare and endangered wild animals in August 2025, and captured a total of 15 suspects while seizing 262 animals under second-class State protection, including macaques.

The police found that the suspects had repeatedly used monkey-catching nets, snake traps, and other tools to illegally hunt and capture the wild animals, and then allegedly applied breeding farms to disguise the animals as legally sourced before selling them at high prices for profit. The case is under further investigation.

The ministry said that police have improved proactive investigation methods, focusing on key areas such as major wildlife habitats and flower-and-bird markets. They have also strengthened online patrols and clue collection to detect suspicious activities and carry out targeted crackdowns.

Police have also launched multiple cross-regional operations, seized and rescued large numbers of wild animals involved in criminal cases, and dismantled criminal chains that damage biodiversity.

Additionally, Chinese police have actively participated in special law enforcement operations organized by Interpol, cracking down on transnational crimes involving wildlife and plant resources, the ministry said.

An official with the ministry's bureau for the investigation of environmental, food, and drug-related crimes said public security authorities will continue to work with relevant departments to protect the ecological environment and target illegal activities such as hunting with drones, while maintaining a tough stance against crimes that damage wildlife and plant resources.