Footage has been shared online of men in Guangdong province, southern China, using electric currents to drive earthworms out of the soil for rapid collection.
The taste of earthworms is described as pork-belly-like, making them a very popular dish in China. Not only the food industry sees their value, but they’re also used in cosmetic products and medicine. Their versatile use made earthworm collection a very lucrative job. Collectors can get an average price of around US$2 per kilo.
Not only are earthworm populations severely endangered by the practice, but the use of electric currents is killing other bugs and insects too.
