BEIJING — China would reduce the protection level for three species of wild animals due to their stable populations and relatively wide distribution, an official statement said on Feb 5.

Bear monkeys, ibexes and pythons, three species of wildlife under first-class protection previously, would be downgraded to wildlife under second class protection, according to the statement jointly released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The country has two protection levels for wildlife under special State protection, according to the wildlife protection law.