A SPECIAL kind of animal trap for wild boars has been found in Xichong, Dapeng New Area. The traps were hidden in the bushes, under fallen leaves and in shallow soil, the Shenzhen Evening News reported Thursday.

During a field visit, a reporter from the News discovered that some wooden signs had been put up at the entrance of vegetable gardens and by the hillside trails to remind people that there are traps, which locals call “jian” (剪), in the vicinity.

“We have had this kind of trap for a long time and wild boars can be caught every year. As far as I know, three wild boars were caught in 2018. Generally, each wild boar can be sold for 3,000 yuan (US$444) to 5,000 yuan,” a local resident told the reporter.

The resident added that the wild boars are not very big, with each one smaller than 100 kilograms.

Catching wild boars is a kind of custom in the subdistrict, according to a resident who refused to be identified.

“Locals know where the traps are as long as the signs are there, but for tourists, backpackers and children, it would be dangerous if they were caught in the traps.”

On June 5, 2017, a man was caught in an animal trap while collecting herbs on the hill behind Dongshan Temple in Dapeng. It took 14 hours for the man to be rescued, according to Shenzhen Rescue Volunteers Federation.

Apart from the trap for wild boars, there are also various kinds of bird nets in the community. Wild birds are usually caught for soup, and it is a common eating habit, local residents told the reporter.

However, in some vegetable fields, the low-hanging nets are mainly used to prevent birds from eating the vegetables, said a person in the know, adding that there is a black market for bird nets.

The reporter bought a black bird net without much effort at a grocery store in Wangmu Community. The smaller net was priced at 35 yuan, while the bigger one cost 65 yuan.

Guangdong Province has banned the hunting of wild birds and wild animals under State and provincial protection from Jan. 1, 2019, and the ban will be in effect until Dec. 21, 2023.

(Zhang Yu)