XI'AN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been detained in northwest China for killing a wild takin, which is under state protection, local authorities said Wednesday.
In March, Taibai County Police in Shaanxi Province, discovered a "suspicious animal corpse," during an inspection of a rural restaurant. The animal was later confirmed to be a takin, which is a first-level protected animal in China.
An initial investigation found that the major suspect, identified only by his surname -- He, poached and killed the takin along with three other men in January.
The investigation continues.