The legislature yesterday approved amendments to comprehensively ban the use of steel-jaw traps, as well as dynamite and other explosives to kill wild animals.
Although the hunting methods were already formally banned, the amendments to the Wildlife Conservation Act (野生動物保育法) closed a loophole that had allowed for their continued use.
Specifically, the revisions deleted a section of Article 21 in the act that allowed exceptions for the use of steel-jaw traps, dynamite or explosives to kill animals that pose a threat to public safety, crops, livestock or aquaculture.
Photo: Taipei Times
The amendments also establish review and documentation procedures for indigenous people who hunt or kill wild animals for personal use as a part of their traditional culture or for religious ceremonies, although steel-jaw traps and explosives are prohibited.
The amendments also created a separate class of penalties for contraventions of the act by indigenous people, stipulating a fine of NT$20,000 to NT$100,000 (US$610.41 to US$3,052.04) for illegally killing a protected species and NT$1,000 to NT$10,000 for illegally killing a non-protected species.
Prior to the changes, the law stipulated prison terms of six months to five years, and a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$1 million for anyone caught illegally killing a protected species, and NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 for illegally killing a non-protected species.
The amendments also have a non-binding resolution urging the Ministry of Agriculture to hold consultations with indigenous groups to decide whether references to “other” prohibited hunting devices should include snare traps.
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