Shocked by express delivery unboxing, trading tiger cubs sentenced to five years

Compiled from: The Paper, China National Radio Client
 
Case review
In July 2017, a Xi'an resident surnamed Liu received a package and found a dead tiger cub inside, immediately reporting it to the police. Investigation revealed the package was misdelivered, uncovering a case of wildlife trafficking via courier. The Xi'an Railway Transport Court recently sentenced two defendants to five years in prison for endangering precious and endangered wildlife.

 
 

According to the Xi'an Railway Transport Procuratorate, Chen contacted a circus animal trainer surnamed Li (handled separately) to purchase a tiger cub for making medicinal liquor. In July 2017, the circus's female tiger gave birth to a stillborn cub, and Li privately sold it to Chen for 1,000 yuan. Chen found a buyer and arranged for Hao to mail the dead cub to a designated address, but it was mistakenly sent to Liu.

 
 

 
《刑法》
Article 341: Crime of Endangering Precious and Endangered Wildlife
Illegal hunting, killing, purchasing, transporting, or selling nationally protected precious and endangered wildlife or their products is punishable by up to five years imprisonment or detention, plus fines; for severe cases, five to ten years imprisonment plus fines; for especially severe cases, over ten years imprisonment plus fines or asset forfeiture.
 
 
Postal Law
[1] Article 24
Postal enterprises and users must comply with laws, regulations, and State Council provisions on prohibited or restricted items for mailing.

 
 

 
[1] The author's perspective
In this case, the defendant Chen purchased a dead tiger cub from Li, which constitutes the act of acquiring precious and endangered wildlife. Chen then instructed Hao to send it via courier to another person for resale to earn a price difference, which constitutes the act of transporting and selling precious and endangered wildlife. Hao, who was responsible for mailing the courier, committed the act of transporting precious and endangered wildlife.
 
In 2020, the State Post Bureau issued a notice to the entire industry, requiring all enterprises to strictly implement the inspection and verification system for mailed items, inspecting the items sent by users on the spot to prevent protected wildlife and their products from illegally entering the delivery channel. So why was this courier successfully sent? If it weren't for the mistaken delivery to the wrong recipient, the individuals involved might have gotten away with it. This indicates that the courier staff also had negligence. Therefore, on the path to protecting precious and endangered wildlife, it is necessary not only to educate the public on legal matters but also to strengthen the standardized management of related industries.