China adds 517 types of wildlife to state protection list

BEIJING -- China has added another 517 species and classes of animals to its list of wildlife under special state protection, an official statement said Friday.

The adjustment, the first major one in 32 years, was based on changes of wild resources and the latest research results, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The new list now includes 980 species and eight classes of wild animals.

The country has two protection levels for wildlife under special state protection, according to the wildlife protection law.