A 28-year-old Vietnamese company employee has been rearrested on suspicion of trapping and killing a Japanese serow, a special natural monument, in mountain forest in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, in August, CBC TV reported.
The suspect, Phan Van Dao, is accused of setting a snare and killing one serow, in violation of the Cultural Properties Protection Act, among other charges. Police have not disclosed whether he admits or denies the allegations.
The Japanese serow is a goat-antelope found in the mountains of Japan and is designated a special natural monument, a status that gives it legal protection.
Meat and money
Phan was already arrested on suspicion of illegally catching sika deer in mountain forest in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture. He is also accused of butchering two wild boar without permission from a health center and attempting to sell the meat as food.
Police suspect he ate or sold the serow he is accused of killing, and are investigating that side of the case.