BEIJING, July 30 -- China's Buddhist and Taoist associations on Wednesday called on the public to free captive animals in a proper way to avoid alien species invasions and ecological imbalance.

The release of animals from captivity has played a positive role in curbing animal killings, but unfavorable outcomes have appeared as well, the two associations said in a statement.

Invasion of alien species lead to native species' extinction, according to the statement.

In other cases, wild animals were randomly released without any consideration of their adaption to the living environment or the risk of disease transmission, it added.