Saving the Yangtze: Professor’s 20-Year Quest to Protect Rare Fish

Imagine fighting to save endangered species in Asia’s longest river for two decades – that’s the real-life superhero story of Professor Liu Haiping. This Southwest University scientist has dedicated his career to rescuing rare fish in the Yangtze River’s upper reaches, combining cutting-edge science with old-school determination.

From the remote wilderness of the Xizang Autonomous Region to bustling Chongqing, Liu’s team uses germplasm conservation – think of it as a \"genetic backup\" system – to preserve fish DNA. \"It’s like curating nature’s art gallery,\" Liu explains, comparing the process to selectively breeding goldfish for better colors.

Their bold plan? Create a biodiversity bank and release 1 million rare fish back into the wild. Thanks to China’s 2021 fishing ban and efforts like Liu’s, endangered populations are already bouncing back. \"We want these species to thrive for millennia,\" says Liu, whose work mixes lab coats with river boots.

Next time you see a fish, remember: Behind every flickering fin in the Yangtze, there’s a team making waves to keep China’s aquatic heritage alive.

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University professor leads biodiversity efforts in upper Yangtze River

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