Huizhou City in Guangdong Province has announced a five-year citywide ban on hunting terrestrial wildlife, effective from October 21, 2025, to October 20, 2030.
The Chinese merganser, a first-class nationally protected species, thrives in Huizhou's waterways, indicating the area's healthy ecosystems due to the bird's sensitivity to water pollution.
Huizhou's diverse ecosystems host 990 recorded vertebrate species and 3,004 vascular plant species, including 166 nationally protected species—99 of which are wildlife. The new ban extends protection beyond nature reserves to all ecological areas, including forests, farmlands, wetlands, and urban parks.
The regulation outlines four key areas: prohibited locations, protected species, the effective period, and banned hunting methods and equipment. These measures aim to raise public awareness, strengthen social oversight, and assist law enforcement.
Exceptions are allowed only for scientific research, population control, disease monitoring, or other special circumstances, provided they involve non-consumptive use and have the necessary hunting permits.
Reporter | Wu Tianyu
Photo | Chen Xihui
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
