Taiwan To Regulate Religious Release of Animals

Expanding on their religious duty to save any animal that is trapped, it has become a custom in China for Buddhists to buy various animals and then free them in a religious ceremony in order to bring good fortune. This practice has caused increasing ecological and environmental problems. Today, CNA News reports that in Taiwan, the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture has proposed new regulations on freeing animals for religious purposes that will conserve the island's ecological system. Scientists and conservationists have become increasingly concerned about the 200 million animals that are released in Taiwan each year. Problems include both the inability of captive-bred animals to survive and damage caused by the introduction of non-native species.