Lucrative but poorly regulated wildlife trade came under fire in January after the first outbreak of Cove in 19 was linked to a wet market in the city of Wuhan.

Scientists believe the pandemic originated in horseshoe bats and infected humans through an intermediary species, possibly pangolins.

In February, Chinese legislators passed a resolution banning the sale and consumption of wild animals like bats, penguins, exotic birds and Arctic foxes.

China's Prosecutor General's office says After that, more than 15,000 people have seen legal action taken against them in the first nine months of 2020.

Some exceptions to the ban were open for uses and traditional medicine.

Since then, two major wildlife breeding provinces offered to exchange animals for cash so hunters and breeders could switch professions.