https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0714-1725
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Yunbo Zheng, Yamei Zhu, Mingwei Su, In the process of transformation: wildlife conservation in China in the postepidemic era, BioScience, 2025;, biaf058, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf058
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The 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, widely believed to be linked to wildlife through potential transmission channels, has significantly heightened global attention to the legal protection of wildlife. In China, this awareness has prompted a series of legislative and enforcement initiatives, leading to notable advancements in wildlife conservation. Although consumer behavior regarding wildlife consumption has generally declined in the wake of the pandemic (Liu et al. 2020), criminal activities involving wildlife remain prevalent. In the postpandemic era, it is imperative for China to further enhance public awareness of the critical importance of wildlife protection and its role in safeguarding public health. This necessitates increased investment in legislative measures and law enforcement capabilities, along with the development and effective execution of sound strategic policies.
Legislative transformation of wildlife protection in China
China enacted the Wildlife Protection Law in 1988, which has since undergone four amendments. In 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress responded to public demands and intensified efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade by passing the Decision on Comprehensively Prohibiting the Trade in Illegal Wild Animals, Eliminating the Abusive Consumption of Wild Animals, and Effectively Guaranteeing the Lives, Health, and Safety of People (hereinafter referred to as the decision). The decision significantly expanded the scope of wildlife protection and instituted a comprehensive ban on the consumption of wild animals. Building on this, amendment XI to the Criminal Law was subsequently adopted, introducing offenses related to the illegal hunting, acquisition, transport, and sale of terrestrial wildlife.
