In November 2009, a precious group of animals returned to the Jing River area of Kongtong District —— ruddy shelducks, spot-billed ducks, and red herons. These migratory birds are part of the national artificial protection animal registry classified as "beneficial," "having significant economic value," and "having research value" known as the "three-haves" wild protected animals. However, local residents frequently witnessed people poaching these "wild ducks" and selling them at a certain game shop in the countryside. On the evening of February 21 this year, several photography enthusiasts visiting the Jing River source area in Kongtong District were shocked to discover a large number of ruddy shelducks dead along the riverbanks, sand dunes, and nearby farmland within an approximate one-kilometer radius. The photographers immediately reported the situation to the relevant authorities and handed over the 27 dead ducks they collected that day to the city's river management station. The city promptly established a special investigation team. On the morning of March 7, three suspects from Shaanxi Province, including Dou Mou, were arrested at Zhang Town in Pingliang City.
Reported by Guo Yubai: At the end of 2009, small groups of valuable wild migratory birds such as ruddy shelducks residing in the Jing River basin of Pingliang City were subjected to illegal poisoning using pesticides. On October 29, reporters learned from the provincial procuratorate that the People's Procuratorate of Kongtong District recently prosecuted Dou Mou and two others from Shaanxi for suspected illegal hunting and concealing criminal proceeds.
According to investigations, on February 18 and February 23 this year, Dou Mou and two others drove twice to Pingliang City where they mixed toxic pesticide "Carbofuran" with butter and corn or rice grains to create bait, scattering it along the riverbank. This resulted in a large number of wild ruddy shelducks and spot-billed ducks being poisoned and rendered unconscious. Dou Mou and his accomplices sold 21 live wild ruddy shelducks and 2 live wild spot-billed ducks to Tang Mou at a price of 180 yuan per bird. Recently, the public prosecution office of Kongtong District reviewed the case and determined that Dou Mou and others had committed clear acts of illegal hunting and concealing criminal proceeds, supported by solid evidence. They have now separately prosecuted the three individuals for suspected illegal hunting and concealing criminal proceeds.
[Images of illegally hunted and poisoned wild ducks were provided by Daily Gansu Web.]