Animal rights groups have cheered the release of 37 spotted seal pups into the wild in northern China after they were rescued from traffickers.
The Humane Society International said the pups were discovered three months ago by police in a shed on a remote farm in the northern city of Dalian, many of them starving and dying.
Eight suspects were arrested in the operation.
Another 29 pups died despite efforts to save them, having only been two weeks old when they were found and not yet weaned from their mothers.
Once hunted for their use in traditional Chinese medicine, spotted seals are now a protected species in China.
“Sadly, China’s growing obsession for keeping marine species like seals and turtles in captivity is fueling wildlife crime such as this, which causes immense animal suffering and loss of life.”
