The Chinese Limulus is commonly known as the sea monster and is known as a living fossil. In recent years, due to factors such as over-predation and habitat destruction, the number of Chinese horseshoe crabs has declined sharply. In February 2021, the Chinese horseshoe crab was listed as a national second-class protected wild animal. A few days ago, the first case of illegal trading of Chinese horseshoe crabs in Xiamen, Fujian was publicly sentenced in the Tongan District People's Court. The defendants Wang Mouchen and Wang Mouying were sentenced to one year and ten months in prison respectively, suspended for the crime of endangering precious and endangered wild animals. Two years and four months, and a fine of 10,000 yuan; fixed-term imprisonment of two years and one month, suspended for two years and seven months, and a fine of 10,000 yuan.

After investigation, Wang Mouchen was engaged in a aquatic business in Xiamen and often provided seafood for those who wanted to release animals. In March 2021, Wang Mouchen met Wang Mouying, who sold Chinese horseshoe crabs online. Wang Mouying said that the Chinese horseshoe crab he sold came from Beihai, Guangxi, and the price was very affordable. From March to April 2021, Wang Mouchen placed multiple orders to buy Chinese horseshoe crabs from Wang Mouying at prices ranging from 10 to 12 yuan per catty. Wang Mouying has transported about 200 catties of Chinese horseshoe crabs from Beibei, Guangxi to Xiamen for many times through the freight company.

In April 2021, Wang Mouchen purchased 116 suspected Chinese horseshoe crabs from Wang Mouying for the last time, and then sold them to others for release at a price of 11 yuan per catty. On April 2, when it was shipped, it was seized by law enforcement officers of the Xiamen Detachment of the Chinese Fisheries Administration. After identification, these suspected Chinese horseshoe crabs are all national second-class protected wild animals, Chinese horseshoe crabs, with a total value of 165,000 yuan.

During the trial, Wang Mouchen and Wang Mouying jointly paid 165,000 yuan in ecological restoration public welfare compensation, and planned to use the special funds for the proliferation and release of Chinese horseshoe crabs and habitat protection in Xiamen, and each paid 10,000 yuan in advance Yuan is used for the execution of the fine in this case.

After the trial, the court held that the defendants Wang Mouchen and Wang Mouying violated the relevant national wildlife protection regulations by illegally purchasing, transporting and selling the rare and endangered wild animal China horseshoe crab, which is under national key protection. constitutes the crime of endangering precious and endangered wild animals. Defendants Wang Mouchen and Wang Mouying truthfully confessed their crimes after the incident, actively paid compensation for ecological restoration, and voluntarily pleaded guilty. Based on the criminal nature, circumstances, harmful consequences of this case and the specific sentencing circumstances of the defendants Wang Mouchen and Wang Mouying, the court decided to impose a lighter punishment on the two defendants and apply a suspended sentence, so the above judgment was made in accordance with the law.

■The judge reminded ■

The Chinese horseshoe crab has been listed as a national second-class protected wild animal. The illegal acquisition and sale of Chinese horseshoe crab in violation of the national wildlife protection regulations will constitute a hazard to precious and endangered wild animals. animal crime. Both defendants in this case argued that the final purpose of purchasing and selling was to release them, but in fact, the so-called release was to transport Chinese horseshoe crabs from Guangxi to Xiamen, which changed the original habitat of Chinese horseshoe crabs. I would like to remind those who release animals that they should obey the law as the premise, and don’t let good deeds become harm.