守护迁徙路，拯救黄胸鹀

Core Viewpoint - A significant illegal wildlife trafficking network has been dismantled by the Dalian police, involving the illegal capture, purchase, and sale of the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting, with an estimated value exceeding 39 million yuan [1][2]. Group 1: Crime Details - The investigation was initiated from a seemingly insignificant express delivery slip, leading to the discovery of a large-scale illegal hunting operation targeting the Yellow-breasted Bunting, which has seen a drastic decline in population due to habitat destruction and poaching [1][2]. - Thirteen suspects were apprehended, six locations were raided, and over 400 birds, including the Yellow-breasted Bunting, were rescued, marking the largest seizure of such protected species in recent years in Liaoning Province [2][5]. - The suspects employed sophisticated methods to evade capture, including cash transactions, coded communication, and the use of hidden locations for their operations [6][7]. Group 2: Legal and Environmental Implications - The Yellow-breasted Bunting was classified as a national first-class protected species in 2021, and illegal hunting can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment for over ten years for serious offenses [8]. - The case highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and maintaining ecological balance, emphasizing that illegal consumption of wild animals poses a threat to both biodiversity and public health [8].