The Beijing Forestry Police have begun investigating a Chinese man peddling bear paws from Russia on Wechat, who claims bear paws are considered normal gifts for Spring Festival, a possible breach of China's Criminal Law, law experts said.
A man surnamed Wang announced on his Wechat he has a supplier of black bear paws in Russia and will sell them in China for 1,960 yuan per kilogram, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.
A Beijing Forestry Police Bureau employee confirmed to the Global Times on Wednesday that they had assigned investigators to look into the case.
Wang was quoted as saying that people would bring the paws in through Chinese customs, which explains why the paws are expensive. "Customs expenses explain the paws' high price."
China's Wild Animal Conservation Law states that anyone who sells, buys and catches wild animals and their products could face criminal charges.
Asked whether this is against the law, Wang said many Russians sell bear paws, which is legal in their country, but "it will be a bit troublesome to bring the paws to China." He added buyers in China are not concerned about getting caught. "Aren't they considered normal gifts during Spring Festival?"
Beijing-based lawyer Wang Yongjie said the amount of bear paws and money involved would determine how much the law has been breached.
Those who sell and purchase wild animals could face up to ten years in prison, according to China's Criminal Law, Wang Yongjie noted.
The nutritional value of bear paws is usually being exaggerated because of public curiosity, a Sichuan Longqiao Bear Rescue Center employee told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Bear paws provide no more nutrition than trotters, which mainly contain crude protein and fat, the employee said.
