Online platforms crack down on wild animal product vendors

More than 9,000 restaurants and shops have been removed from 105 e-commerce platforms as of Wednesday following a nationwide ban on wild animal trade, Shanghai's market watchdog said.

The removal involved businesses selling wild animal dishes or with names indicating wild animal parts, while 14,462 products involving wild animals have also been pulled off shelves, the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation said.

Online food delivery platform Meituan Dianping has removed 7,514 businesses whose names suggest the sale of wild animal food products, and removed 813 businesses with names indicating the sale of snakes, according to the administration.

It has also blocked 123 search terms related to wild animals or wild animal food products.

Ele.me, another online food delivery platform, has removed 220 restaurants suspected of selling wild animal meat and blocked orders of 340 relevant dishes, according to the administration.

The platform is conducting regular screenings and will remove any wild animal product or dish.

Online shopping platform Yihaodian has also removed thousands of listings for wild animal products and hunting devices. It has blocked many relevant search terms as well.

Shanghai-based online discounter Pinduoduo has also conducted a screening on the trade of bats, masked palm civet, muntjac, wild rabbit and wild pig.

It has blocked 36 key words regarding wild animals.

The State Administration for Market Regulation ordered a ban on live wild animal trade on Sunday. Violators will be dealt with by police if they are suspected of committing a crime.