Police descended on Xinyuan market, one of Guangzhou's biggest wild animal markets, yesterday and seized 85 masked palm civet cats after a cull was ordered by provincial authorities.
Stall-holders were told they would be compensated if they were licensed to sell the animals.
Police did not attempt to close down the stalls or those offering other wild animals such as foxes, wild boar, peacocks and fowl.
Earlier, Guangdong officials pledged to shut down all wild animal trading places in the province.
Before the spring Sars outbreak, masked palm civets - considered a delicacy and prized for the flavour and texture of their meat - sold for 100 yuan per 500 grams.
The latest scare has driven prices at Xinyuan down to 20 to 30 yuan - but there have been no buyers in the past week, traders say.