Six men have been arrested in connection with the killing of a panda in Sichuan province, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.
A report in the newspaper alleged that Yang Shicheng, a farmer in Sichuan, shot one of three bears he saw while hunting last December, and then strangled it with a piece of rope.
The report said Yang is alleged to have sold the 80cm skin from the 15-month-old panda to Gao Hongyou for 2,000 yuan. He then sold the skin to four other villagers for 20,000 yuan. Gou Chengxue, Li Dehua, Hou Yongpu and Cheng Guoyuan, then allegedly tried to smuggle the pelt to Chongqing, where it was to be sold for 550,000 yuan (HK$520,000).
All six men were arrested and will appear in court on April 20. Another suspect, Gao Hebing, is being sought by police.