REPORTS that a local farmer in Chun'an county in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has been detained and is likely to face a prison sentence for catching 114 toads has caused a stir. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

It might not be convincing for some people that catching more than 100 toads could lead to a criminal detention and even prison term. However, it must be clarified that Chen was detained because he had violated the law.

Although that particular kind of toad is not included in the national list of protected species, it is on the list of important species that are beneficial, important economically, and worthy of scientific research. These so-called three-value species number about 1,700 and include sparrows, frogs, toads and snakes.