Let it Go? China Curbs Ritual Releases of Sick, Invasive Wildlife

China has issued new rules to curb harmful animal release practices, banning the freeing of invasive species and sick animals in protected areas and promoting scientific oversight for ecological preservation.

The notice, jointly released Wednesday by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Religious Affairs Administration, lays out the government’s plan to further regulate and guide animal release activities and crack down on illegal practices.

It emphasizes that releasing wild terrestrial and aquatic animals back into nature is an important means to promote the recovery of populations and maintain biodiversity — but only when undertaken according to coordinated, scientific guidelines.

“The spontaneous and unregulated release activities by the public often result in abnormal animal deaths, the spread of diseases, disruption to local communities, and the risk of invasive species damaging ecological balance,” the notice states.

In China, regions with strong public demand for releasing terrestrial wild animals are typically associated with deeply-rooted religious beliefs or traditional cultures. These practices, while often well-intentioned, have led to significant ecological and social challenges across the country.

Some of the earliest animal release practices date back over 2,000 years to Buddhist traditions, where it is regarded as a compassionate act that brings spiritual merit.

Historically, these activities were small-scale and localized, primarily involving native species. However, modern commercialization of the practice has led to massive releases of non-native species into the wild, threatening ecological balance.

In recent years, the illegal release of wild animals has triggered multiple ecological disasters. In 2020, a man surnamed Xu released 12,500 kg of sharp-toothed catfish, an invasive species, into Changdang Lake in the eastern Jiangsu province, reportedly as a prayer ritual. The carnivorous catfish caused mass fish deaths, with cleanup costs exceeding 90,000 yuan ($12,700). The species’ aggressive predation threatened native fish populations, and Xu was fined 58,000 yuan in the country’s first public-interest lawsuit against illegal invasive species release.

China’s southwestern Yunnan province, renowned for its biodiversity, has a particularly active animal release culture. This has resulted in serious ecological consequences, such as the introduction of invasive species like snapping turtles that threaten native ecosystems. Neighboring Sichuan province has seen incidents where enthusiasts released hundreds of snakes — including venomous varieties — creating public safety hazards and severely disrupting local communities.

Meanwhile, unethical vendors exploit demand by openly trafficking invasive species — from alligator gars to Florida softshell turtles — fueling a destructive cycle of “release, recapture, and resale” for profit.

Parallel to this, exotic pet owners — initially drawn to the novelty of species like Siamese crocodiles, snapping turtles, or pythons — sometimes abandon these animals in local ecosystems once the novelty fades or the creatures become unmanageable.

Alien and diseased animals are now prohibited from being released in ecologically protected “red zones.” These include residential areas, natural reserves, important water sources, areas with endangered species, critical habitats, and migration routes.

In places with high demands for animal releases, authorities must first assess the local ecology and establish clear, species-specific health standards. Exceptions require wildlife authorities’ approval after scientific review.

The sourcing of animals from online platforms and offline markets for release is also illegal.

The southern city of Guangzhou, a hotspot for releases but whose lack of standardized management had led to issues such as invasive species proliferation, enacted China’s first specialized regulation on wildlife releases in 2023. The regulation established 16 designated release sites and an information management platform to ensure compliance.

In the first year of implementation, the city recorded 338 legal release activities involving 3.57 million native fish, including black carp and grass carp.

Lastly, the notice states that proper care and rescue should be given to animals unfit for release. This includes strengthening rescue organizations to ensure confiscated or non-releasable animals receive timely care and humane disposal, preventing abandonment or improper handling.

Editor: Tom Arnstein.

(Header image: A volunteer shows a common snapping turtle to children in Qingdao, Shandong province, 2020. VCG)