On Dec 30, 2022, the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress voted to adopt the revised Wildlife Protection Law which will come into effect on May 1, 2023.
According to the law, wild animals under protection include those listed in the National List of Key Protected Wildlife, the List of Terrestrial Wildlife of Ecological, Scientific and Social Importance and the List of Local Key Protected Wildlife.
The capture and rescue of listed animals is strictly regulated. For example, one may only hunt and capture A-listed protected wildlife for scientific research, population control, epidemic source and disease monitoring or other special circumstances. The consumption of any protected animal is prohibited.
The law also provides legal protection for wildlife habitats, which are defined as important wild areas for wildlife populations to live and breed.
Airports, railroads, highways, waterways, water conservancy and hydropower, windmills, photovoltaic power generation plants, cofferdams, reclamation areas and other construction sites, should avoid nature reserves and other important wildlife habitats, including major animal migration routes.
