A heated debate has begun online after videos showed a popular social media influencer eating meat from one of Taiwan’s protected species.
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A popular online influencer has caused controversy after videos showed her eating Formosan Reeve’s muntjac during an activity in an indigenous tribe in Hualien. A local guide reportedly shot and killed the animal and ate its raw liver. The influencer and her child also consumed the liver. The incident has sparked a heated debate online, with people commenting on her parenting.
Reeve’s muntjac are a second-level protected species, and hunting or selling their meat without permission violates conservation acts. Those found guilty can face prison time and heavy fines.
Authorities have launched an investigation and announced that they had not received any hunting permit applications for the event. Chang Jen-chih (張仁智) of Hualien County's agricultural department says hunting in forests and wilderness areas is generally prohibited unless it is for specific indigenous rituals or ceremonies, and has been approved.
This incident is not the first time that the influencer has caused controversy. In the past, she faced criticism for activities such as hiking while pregnant and carrying her child during skiing trips.