Poacher sent to jail for poisoning wild birds

A wildlife poacher has been sentenced to seven months in prison for hunting several protected species of wild birds in Pudong New Area, a city court said Wednesday.

The defendant, surnamed Qiang, was arrested on his way to sell the 24 wild birds he caught to local restaurants, according to a press release from Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court.

Qiang caught the birds from December 4 to December 6, 2012, by laying out poison in a reed marsh that is part of a wildlife preserve, the court said. He caught two mallards, two gadwalls, seven common teals and 13 spot-billed ducks, according to his statement to police.

Under an international agreement, the mallard, gadwall and common teal are considered protected migratory bird species by both the Chinese and Japanese governments, the court said.

All of the species are also listed on a national registry of wild animals that have high scientific research and economic value, the court said.

Pudong New Area People's Court found Qiang guilty of hunting wild animals in a restricted area, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Qiang had appealed to Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court for a lighter sentence, but ended up withdrawing his request.