Exciting news from Yueyang City! Over 20 Yangtze finless porpoises were spotted frolicking in the Xiangyin County river, bringing smiles to onlookers. 🐬✨
\"I was really excited when I photographed this Yangtze finless porpoise. They were flipping and jumping in the river, as if they were saying hello to me,\" shared photographer Yi Hui. 📸😊
The Yangtze finless porpoise, a cherished species under top-level national protection, is endemic to the Yangtze River in the central region of China's Hunan Province. Often called a \"smiling angel\" for its grin-shaped snout, these porpoises are a symbol of aquatic grace. 🌊❤️
Once numbering around 2,500 in 1991, the population had dwindled to 1,012 by 2017 due to unregulated fishing, vessel strikes, and habitat loss. However, thanks to intensive conservation efforts, there’s a ray of hope. 🌟
Recent measures have successfully boosted the porpoise population. In 2022, the latest scientific expedition reported an increase to 1,249—a 23.4% rise! 📈🐾 These strides highlight the effectiveness of ongoing preservation initiatives to protect the Yangtze River ecosystem.
