Top court spotlights illegal hunting of wildlife using drones equipped with arrows

China's Supreme People's Court highlighted a significant case involving the illegal hunting of wildlife using drones equipped with arrows on Friday, underscoring the judiciary's strong resolve to address this emerging form of crime.

The case details how, in March 2025, an individual surnamed Cheng purchased hunting nets, specially designed metal arrows, and drones online. He then used these drones, outfitted with infrared thermal imaging devices, to locate and hunt wildlife in the hills near a village in Poyang county, Jiangxi province, deploying metal arrows or nets to capture his targets. Investigations revealed that Cheng had illegally hunted 21 wild animals, including South China rabbits, ring-necked pheasants, and spot-billed ducks, all protected species in China.

The Poyang county court determined that Cheng's actions constituted illegal hunting, as he operated in prohibited areas and during restricted periods, using banned tools, thereby causing significant damage to wildlife resources.

Taking into account Cheng's admission of guilt and his voluntary payment for ecological restoration, the court gave him a three-month detention, suspended for five months.

The court remarked that using drones for hunting represents a high-tech evolution of criminal methods, posing a greater threat and having a more substantial impact than traditional hunting techniques.

"These methods are highly covert, inflicting lethal harm on wildlife and posing serious risks to public and personal safety," it said.

"The ruling made by the lower court has sent a clear message: regardless of how crime methods evolve, crossing legal boundaries will lead to severe consequences," the court added.