Catching the hunters trapping rare songbirds in China

In China, the illegal trapping and selling of protected songbirds has become a profitable, low-risk business due to the sluggish economy. Tens of thousands of birds are caught annually in nets across the country for the pet trade and meat. Conservationists like Silva Gu are working to protect these birds, particularly during their migration south for the winter. China is a crucial location for migratory birds, with four major routes intersecting there. The grasslands outside Beijing serve as a vital resting point for these birds, but also attract poachers using nearly invisible "mist nets" to capture them. A single bird, like the Siberian rubythroat, can fetch a high price on the black market.

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