Proposals to establish a commercial hunting ground for the formerly endangered Eld's deer in south China's Hainan Province have stirred up a public controversy across the country.

The latest debate comes just two weeks after the central government was forced to postpone a planned auction of hunting quotas and licences in the face of a public outcry.

In a media interview, Wang Chundong, head of Hainan Provincial Wildlife and Plants Conservation Center, said the preliminary preparation for the hunting ground has started, and it was planned to go into operation in 8 to 10 years.

On the verge of extinction in late 1970s, the Eld's deer, a sub-species of swamp deer, today roams in large herds across the hills of the southwestern coast of the island province.

The species has recovered healthy stock numbers after a comprehensive protection program that began 30 years ago. In May, the population in Hainan stood at 1,600.

Wang said many of the deer had been artificially bred and were losing their propagating capabilities as the aged, necessitating a cull.

"In an international hunting ground, the price tag on the head of an Eld's deer is US$100,000, 25 times more than the benefit from conventional processing," said Wang.

Proceeds from hunting would increase funds for protection of fauna and flora on the island.

Provincial forestry officials supported the idea of an international hunting ground, predicting it would usher in new conservation methods and bring economic benefits.

Some local residents also endorsed the plan and believed a hunting ground would attract more investors and consumers.

However, opponents say once the hunting ground becomes a tourist draw, hunting with a quota limit could easily go awry and turn into a profit-driven killing spree.

Inadequate supervision of the hunting quota has also raised concerns.

Yuan Xicai, a specialist in animal research, especially of Eld's deer, cautioned against a hunting ground in Hainan.

"The Eld's deer, with its present population, is still at risk and much is still needed for its conservation," said Yuan. "Currently, the deer live inside nature reserves or shelters with fencing, and it will take five to ten more years to prepare them for release into the wild. Otherwise, our previous conservation efforts will end in vain."

China's State Forestry Administration (SFA) postponed the country's first auction of hunting quotas scheduled for August 13 after rousing public anger. The auction would have seen the sale of quotas for hunting 289 animals of 14 species under national protection.

Angry Internet users accused the SFA of being purely profit-driven.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2006)