Hey everyone 👋
China has just rolled out a brand new action plan for 2026-2035 to protect the Yangtze finless porpoise, the river's only freshwater cetacean. This little dolphin is a big deal, acting like a health check for the entire Yangtze ecosystem! 🌿🐬
Why it matters
- Indicator species: If porpoise numbers are up, the river is doing great.
- Habitat focus: From Dongting Lake to Poyang Lake, they'll boost river and lake protections.
- Breeding boost: Artificial breeding programs will help grow the population.
- Eco-restoration: Using the porpoise as an umbrella species to restore the whole ecosystem.
Sound familiar? Just like the Ganges dolphin in South Asia or the Irrawaddy dolphin in Southeast Asia, the Yangtze finless porpoise helps keep its river home in check. By working both in situ (in their natural habitat) and ex situ (in rescue centers or breeding sites), authorities hope to reverse past declines and secure a stable future.
This plan is a decade-long promise to give these porpoises safe spaces to breed and thrive, which in turn supports the millions of people relying on the Yangtze for farming, fishing and daily life. 🌊💪
Stay curious and cheer on these efforts to bring our finned friends back to healthy numbers. It's a win for wildlife and communities across the region!
Reference(s):
China to boost decade-long conservation of Yangtze finless porpoise
cgtn.com
