Myanmar is home to 331 endangered species, according to the latest report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including birds, orangutans, elephants, deer, freshwater turtles, pangolins and tigers, the asianews website reported.

In an attempt to preserve endangered species, Myanmar’s Parliament passed the Protection of Biodiversity and Conservation Areas Law in May, which prescribes harsh penalties for hunting and illegal wildlife trading as defined by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Violators can face up to ten years in jail.

In October, the Yangon Region government also imposed a ban on selling items made with wildlife parts at souvenir shops or selling wildlife curries at restaurants. However, due to strong financial incentives, the illegal wildlife trade remains rampant, the news report said.