Posted on 08/10/2006 2:25:50 AM PDT by Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit
BEIJING China is to auction licences to foreigners to hunt wild animals, including endangered species, a newspaper said on Wednesday.
The government would auction licences based on types and numbers of wild animals, ranging from about $200 for a wolf, the only carnivore on the list, to as much as $40,000 for a yak, the Beijing Youth Daily said.
The auction, taking place on Sunday in Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, would be the first of its kind in Chinese history, it added.
"Some animals are from the first and second category of national wildlife protection, but with the strict limitations in place, the hunting could not destroy wild animal populations," the daily said.
The report made no mention of the endangered giant panda, some 1,500 of which survive in nature reserves in southwestern China.
Five western areas, including Qinghai, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and the autonomous regions of Ningxia and Xinjiang, are involved in the auction.
Hunting of animals is popular with Chinese who like to eat exotic meats or use animal parts in medicines for their perceived aphrodisiac or medicinal properties.
But the hunting licences would be available only to foreigners, given China's strict rules on gun control, the daily said.
"Hunting is not slaughtering," it quoted an official at a wild animal protection department as saying.
Proceeds from the auction would be used for wild animal protection, the report said.
I wonder the cost for a underground home church Christian?
sell the privelage to tourists to execute Chinese prisoners?
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I seem to recall a Gilligan's Island episode with this theme. Somehow, those wiley castaways were able to evade the hunter's bullet.
Cool. Works in Africa to preserve the herds.
Male or female? Cause a chance to eat the genitals is what really adds value.
Sorry. That what uncalled for.
Who says the Chinese don't understand capitalism?
Quite a common practice in many places. In Africa, for example, income from hunting licenses sold to foreigners goes to pay for anti-poaching teams, because poachers are the real threat to wildlife, not licensed hunters.
Here in the US, hunting license proceeds pay for game wardens that enforce hunting restrictions, which is another form of animal protection.
Smiling Monkeys in Suits Bump.
IMO, this is a way to get hard foreign currency into their Commie hands from world-wide, rich, genuine sportsmen and those who just want to hunt and kill Bambis to hang heads in their libraries.
The hunters will have paid "guides" (government agents) escorting them on their safaris. I doubt if too many yens and sens will find their way into animal "protection" programs.
Leni
"Need a large caliber rifle to hunt the wily and dangerous yak, for sure!"
Yaks ARE dangerous! The apparently don't like the smell of westerners nor do Water Buffs.
At times the truth is harsh and unwanted.
Probably about as challenging and as much fun as shooting a haystack.
I was hoping to be there first to make a wisecrack about Pandas but you had it nailed in the first post -- no fair! Nevertheless, it would be cool to have a stuffed panda propped up in the corner of the den when guests come over.
"China to Let Tourists Hunt Endangered Species"
Like Chinese female human fetuses?
No. no . no. Your post was absolutely correct. Did you see my reply in #24? I was apologizing for myself. I was the one who was crude and made an inappropriate statement.
These folks seem to think so ...
Sort of, but for money. And oh yeah, it benefits endangered species.
My God....they are hunting Christians?
Not yet. I don't think Christianity is punishable by death at this point.
And, past experience has proven that Christians are not that entertaining in terms of blood sport. Drug dealers and Muslims are far more entertaining. Better eatin' too.
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