Anhui releases 280 captive-bred Chinese alligators! What protection level are they? Can they be eaten?

The Chinese alligator is one of the smallest crocodilian species in the world, and it is bred in captivity in many areas. Recently, Anhui released 280 captive-bred Chinese alligators! Do you know what protection level these released Chinese alligators are? Can they be eaten?

1. Anhui releases 280 captive-bred Chinese alligators!

In earlier years, China established nature reserves and captive breeding farms for the Chinese alligator in Anhui, Zhejiang and other places to ensure the survival of the species. And on May 20, the 16th Chinese alligator wild release event was launched at Liuchong Datang in the core area of the Shuangken area of Jingxian County in the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve. This year, 280 captive-bred Chinese alligators will be released in five counties (cities and districts) within the reserve, the largest release scale in past years.

In this regard, Sun Siqing, deputy director of the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve Management Bureau, explained that the released alligators were selected from 320 candidate alligators through DNA genetic background analysis, ensuring the genetic diversity of the released alligators. According to scientific research and monitoring needs, researchers also fitted 30 of the released alligators with satellite trackers. Since 2003, the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve has cumulatively released 508 captive-bred Chinese alligators.

2. What protection level is the Chinese alligator?

China has listed the Chinese alligator as a national first-class protected animal, and hunting and killing it are strictly prohibited.

Moreover, in 1973 the United Nations also listed it as an endangered species and a banned trade species, and it is a critically endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature list.

3. Can captive-bred Chinese alligators be eaten?

Whether captive-bred or wild, Chinese alligators cannot be eaten! In addition, legislation on wild animals is gradually being carried out in various places, so it is not allowed to hunt, kill or eat them.

In addition, China's Criminal Law stipulates that anyone who illegally hunts or kills precious or endangered wild animals under key national protection, or illegally purchases, transports or sells precious or endangered wild animals under key national protection and their products, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years or criminal detention, and shall also be fined; if the circumstances are serious, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years, and shall also be fined; if the circumstances are especially serious, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years, and shall also be fined or have property confiscated.

In addition, although the Chinese alligator is small in size, it is after all a ferocious animal, so do not casually enter wild reserves and breeding bases, so as to avoid danger.