Endangered finless porpoise has historic turn-around in number
2023-02-28 16:02:27
By Shen Yuan, Yichang International Communication Studio
The number of finless porpoise around the Yangtze River has recently reversed following a steady decline, recording a historic increase from 1,012 to 1,249 over the last five years, according to an official survey published on February 28, 2023. Among them, 595 were spotted in the Yangtze River, 492 in Poyang Lake and 162 in Dongting Lake.
The number of finless porpoise around the Yangtze River has recently reversed following a steady decline, recording a historic increase from 1,012 to 1,249 over the last five years, according to an official survey published on February 28, 2023. Among them, 595 were spotted in the Yangtze River, 492 in Poyang Lake and 162 in Dongting Lake.
A survey conducted last September found the range of finless porpoises has expanded. Two new groups of finless porpoise and their calves were found in the area below the Gezhouba Dam.
Finless porpoise are a National Class-I protected animal in China, which places them on the same level as the giant panda. Finless porpoises, also called Smiling Angels, have become a natural indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecosystem.
The survey was released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which is the fourth of a series of studies along the whole Yangtze River to check the status of endangered marine mammals. This number counting study has been conducted once every five years since 2006.
