China prison for people eating rare animals is finally happening. It seems that the country is finally turning around and doing its part on the protection of endangered species. The Chinese have been known to have a flair for exotic food. Now, endangered meat can mean 10 years in China prison for people eating rare animals.

According to a report by the BBC, there are 420 rare species in China. Now, the Southeast Asian country will put its people to jail for eating rare meat such as giant pandas, Asian black bears, golden monkeys, and Pangolins. Some, if not all of these animals are reportedly in danger of extinction due to illegal hunting, environmental destruction and the consumption of animal parts, says Reuters. The sanction is 10 years China prison for people eating rare animals.

However, despite the possibility of China prison for people eating rare animals, it seems that authorities are still finding people who eat the banned meat, says the NY Daily News. In fact, Reuters reports that the consumption of these endangered species has risen as the country has become richer, with some people believing spending thousands on these meat gives them a higher social standing.

The rise is reportedly also because of the Chinese belief that rare meats are good for medicinal purposes, including helping to strengthen or detoxify the body.

The official Xinhua news agency reported late on Thursday that Deputy head Lang Sheng of parliament's Legislative Affairs Commission has spoken on the decision of China prison for people eating rare animals. He said, "Eating rare wild animals is not only bad social conduct but also a main reason why illegal hunting has not been stopped despite repeated crackdowns." The report added that the new interpretation "clears up ambiguities about buyers of prey of illegal hunting."

According to Xinhua, knowingly buying any wild animals killed by illegal hunting will now be considered a crime, with a maximum penalty of three years in jail. Lang added that "In fact, buyers are a major motivator of large-scale illegal hunting."

China prison for people eating rare animals is a pretty bold step for the country, considering that eating of rare food has been a tradition of theirs. It's excellent to know that China has finally turned around and has seen the value of endangered species.