Prosecutors in Pingtung County have arrested a man suspected of killing a Formosan black bear, while an investigation into several alleged accomplices is ongoing.
A man surnamed Yen (顏), a resident of Pingtung’s Wutai Township (霧台), was apprehended during a police raid on Friday last week, after reports of illegal poaching and killing of wild animals.
The carcasses and body parts of a Formosan black bear, a Formosan sambar deer, a Taiwanese serow and wild goats were found in a freezer in Yen’s home.
Photo: CNA
After questioning, Yen was released on bail of NT$200,000.
He faces pending charges of contravening the Wildlife Conservation Act (野生動物保育法).
The raid was conducted by Pingtung County head prosecutor Chang Chun-hsiang (張鈞翔) together with local police officers, and they also seized a modified rifle.
A video of Yen and other Wutai residents started to circulate online yesterday, showing two scooter riders holding a dead bear between them as they drove down a road, while a man holding a rifle, allegedly Yen, sat in the rear seat of a scooter behind them.
The video sparked outrage, as people demanded justice to be brought to all the alleged accomplices.
Due to the additional evidence in the video, prosecutors yesterday said they would re-investigate the case, and would question the alleged accomplices of illegal poaching.
Some people criticized the law that only allows indigenous people to own rifles for hunting, but under restricted conditions, such as conforming to local practices and registering the arms with the local police station.
“I also got angry when seeing the video... We give respect to indigenous people’s hunting culture, but they also must obey our the nation’s legal statues,” Pingtung County Commissioner Pan Men-an (潘孟安) said yesterday.
“The Formosan black bear is a protected species, it is in serious decline with very few left, and should not be hunted. Police have focused on the suspects, and are investigating the case,” Pan said.
“As citizens of Taiwan, no matter where people live, we must protect these wild animals. Killing of protected species is not allowed in Taiwan,” Pan added.
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