Two jailed for killing endangered animal in Tibet

Two men were Monday sent to prison after being convicted of killing a kiang, a highly endangered Tibetan wild ass.

The people's court in Zanda county sentenced Chen Haisheng to three years and six months in jail and his accomplice, Li Ming, to one year in jail, Xinhua reported.

Chen and Li were fined 80,000 yuan ($13,082) and 20,000 yuan, respectively.

The two hit the animal Aug 9 with a vehicle.

After it collapsed, Chen killed it with a knife, disembowelled it and took the body to their workplace to cook for their co-workers.

The two work for an electricity company.

Chen then shared a photo showing him posing with the body of the wild ass on messaging app, WeChat.

The picture ignited public outrage and the two were arrested two days later.

Tibet is home to scores of rare and endangered species, including black-necked cranes, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, yaks and snow cocks.

--Indo-Asian Service

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