Wildlife consumers in Guangdong to face severe fine

Guangdong has released a new regulation to stop the hunting and consumption of wild animals. Those found to be consuming wild animals will pay a maximum penalty equal to 20 times the value of the animal (or related products) starting from May 1.

The regulation was voted through by the province's legislative department on March 31, and is also the first local regulation released by Guangdong this year.

In February, China's top legislative body decided to ban the illegal trade of wildlife and eliminate the consumption of wild animals to safeguard people's health and livelihoods.

The regulation also includes restrictions on keeping wild animals as pets. Wild animals like birds, reptiles, and other animals that are deemed to be a risk to public health or pose an ecological hazard can not be kept as pets.