Forestry police have detained two suspects for killing 10 forest musk deer in Yichuan, Shaanxi Province, which wild animal experts say is the first discovery of the endangered species in the region, the Shaanxi-based Xi'an Evening News reported Wednesday.

The two suspects traveled from Henan Province to Yichuan in October this year posing as herb collectors, and have been hunting wild animals in local mountainous areas with steel traps, the report said.

Local forestry police received reports of the suspects' hunting activities on December 8 and later detained them in remote mountains.

Liu Wenhua, a professor at the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology said Friday that it was the first time forest musk deer have been seen in the region.

Jiang Zhigang, executive deputy director of the Chinese Endangered Species Scientific Commission, told the Global Times Wednesday that the forest musk deer is a top level protected animal in China.

"Ten forest musk deer dying at one time due to poaching is a huge number considering its rarity," said Jiang.

According to the Criminal Law, killing endangered species are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Xue Yonggong, the deputy director of a wild animal protection station in Yan'an, which has jurisdiction over Yichuan, told the Global Times Wednesday that the station has been searching mountainous areas in Yichuan to remove all hunting tools to prevent more wild animals from being hunted.