In China, killing a panda is punishable by death. Prior to 2011, even smuggling a panda could yield such a harsh penalty. In 1987, the Chinese government warned citizens that killing a giant panda could results in long jail terms or even the death penalty. As recent as 2011, merely smuggling a panda could also result in a death sentence. Several people have recently been convicted of killing giant panda or smuggling their skins for “personal gains". In 2011, thirteen offenses were removed from the death penalty list in China, including the smuggling of precious or rare animals.