Bullfrogs, some turtles to be exempted from wildlife ban

Authorities on Thursday exempted bullfrogs and certain breeds of turtles from a recent ban on wildlife consumption triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The amphibians and reptiles will be treated as aquatic animals — a category which authorities had said won't be affected by the ban, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs.

The decision came after the top legislature passed a resolution last week to outlaw all wildlife consumption.

The ban has fueled uncertainty surrounding domesticated wild animals including bamboo rats, bullfrogs and tortoises, which have been bred on a massive scale for consumption.

A wide range of tortoises were previously added to a list of protected aquatic wildlife that can be bred for consumption under certain conditions.