Suspect detained in wild duck killings

By Tom Qian  |   2008-12-10  |     ONLINE EDITION

A CHONGMING resident surnamed Shen was detained yesterday for allegedly killing 64 wild ducks with poison at a protected reserve in Shanghai.

Shen may face criminal charges as police continue to investigate the case, Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

Shen allegedly confessed that he put carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide, in Dongtan National Nature Reserve on Chongming Island on Monday afternoon and went to get the ducks yesterday morning.

Officials of the reserve received a tip and stopped Shen at a bridge in the reserve about 10:45am yesterday. They found Shen was transporting three bags filled with 64 dead ducks, according to the report.

Under Chinese law, hunting 50 or more wild animals is considered a major criminal case.

Shen allegedly denied he had hunted wild animals before.

On November 26, two Chongming Island residents were detained for poisoning and killing 40 wild birds at another protected reserve on the island.