Why is a Yangtze finless porpoise conservation center needed?

The Yangtze finless porpoise is a nationally protected wildlife species of Grade I importance, and it is deeply beloved by people because the upward curve of its mouth resembles a smile. However, not so long ago, due to the impact of human activities, the population of Yangtze finless porpoises had declined from… 20 Century 90 Approximate era 3600 The head has been sharply reduced to 2022 Year's 1249 Head, listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “ Critically Endangered ” Species.

To reverse this situation, both national and local authorities are actively exploring new conservation models. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ Implementation Plan for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Yangtze River ( 2021–2025 year)》explicitly states that efforts to protect rare aquatic species in the Yangtze River must be strengthened, and that the capacity for artificial breeding of rare species such as the finless porpoise must be enhanced. It was against this backdrop that the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Conservation Center was established, taking on the responsibility of… Artificial breeding, emergency rescue, scientific research, breed conservation and exchange, science communication and education Multiple missions await.

Functions of the Protection Center: Creating a Sanctuary for Yangtze Finless Porpoises “ A Five‑Star Home ”

The modern Yangtze finless porpoise conservation center is no longer a simple feeding facility—it has evolved into a comprehensive base brimming with technological sophistication and humanistic care.

1.  Artificial Breeding: Injecting Hope into Species Recovery

In the Hubei Yangtze River Tian’e Zhou Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve, the artificial breeding platform has achieved… “ Post-Disaster Rescue ” To “ Proactive Breeding ” The leap. 2020 Year: The first finless porpoise bred through artificial assisted reproduction. “ Beibei ” The successful completion of the first month marks a major breakthrough in protective technology. Today, the platform has been fully constructed. 800 A modern breeding area spanning square meters, with juvenile porpoise survival rates falling short of those in the wild… 50% Upgrade to 87% At the Anqing Xijiang Finless Porpoise Relocation Conservation Base, since… 2014 Since it began operation last year, multiple Yangtze finless porpoises have been successfully bred, and the population within the base has stabilized at… 25 Head left and right.

2.  Emergency First Aid: A Lifeline in the Race Against Time

During their migrations and foraging, finless porpoises are bound to encounter accidents such as stranding or injury. The conservation center is equipped with professional rescue facilities and a dedicated team that stands ready at all times. 2025 In recent years, the Taicang Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with research institutions, has conducted stranded Yangtze finless porpoise rescue drills. These drills simulate the scenario where, upon discovering a stranded finless porpoise, on-site personnel swiftly activate the emergency response plan, effectively enhancing their capacity for emergency handling. In Hukou, Jiangxi, the Poyang Lake Yangtze Finless Porpoise Conservation Base (under construction) will integrate rescue resources to provide timely treatment for injured finless porpoises.

3.  Scientific Research and Monitoring: Empowering Precise Conservation Through Technology

At the Yangtze finless porpoise research and rescue base in Yueyang, Hunan, a set… “ Watch from the sky, measure in the water, manage from the shore. ” of the Three-in-One Monitoring Platform It has been put into operation. An underwater, solar-powered acoustic analysis and early warning system has been deployed, intelligent cruise drones are equipped in the air, and a digital command center has been established onshore, enabling comprehensive monitoring of finless porpoise activity areas. 24 Hour‑by‑hour, precise protection. The Dongting Lake Finless Porpoise Conservation Center in Yueyang City regularly conducts scientific surveys of finless porpoises. 2024 In recent years, joint research institutions have conducted two scientific expeditions along the Yueyang section of the Yangtze River and in Dongting Lake, precisely determining the population size and distribution of finless porpoises.

4.  Science Communication and Education: Deepening Awareness of Conservation in People’s Hearts

The Conservation Center is not only a research base but also an ecological classroom open to the public. Nanjing has… 2025 Starting this year, Jiangsu Province’s first set of natural education courses on aquatic biodiversity conservation will be officially launched, leveraging… “ Yangtze River Smile Station ” Waiting for science popularization platforms to foster… 60 Multiple professional science communicators have distributed over… in total科普 handbooks. 10 Tens of thousands of volumes. In the Tongling Freshwater Dolphin National Nature Reserve, 2025 The summer vacation hosted over… 1 Tens of thousands of visits—children witness the growth of Yangtze finless porpoise calves firsthand during on-site observations, and the seeds of ecological conservation begin to take root.

The Guardian’s Story: From “ Fisherman ” To “ Pig Protector ”

Behind every conservation center lies a group of dedicated guardians who work quietly and selflessly. At the Anqing Xijiang Base, Zhang Liyuan, the head of the patrol team, was once a… 40 Many years “ Fishing age ” The fisherman. 2019 After retiring from fishing that year, he leveraged his familiarity with the waters and proactively applied to become a dolphin protector. Early in the morning… 5 Start patrolling the river, clear away leftover fishing gear, prepare bait fish, and signal for feeding by tapping the water’s surface. …… Day after day, undeterred by wind or rain.

“ Each Yangtze finless porpoise has its own unique personality—it’s as if they’re my family. ” Zhang Liyuan said. Today, he can accurately assess the health of finless porpoises based on their breathing patterns and playful behaviors. In Tian’e Zhou, Hubei, there are many retired fishermen like him who… 237 All households have switched to new production, among which… 50 The remaining individuals directly participate in the management and conservation of the breeding platform, with their average annual income increasing compared to when they were fishing. 53% From “ Live off the river. ” To “ Rely on the river for protection. ” The transformation of identity is the best testament to the harmonious relationship between people and the Yangtze River.

Empowering with Intelligence: Building a Hub for Modern Conservation Research

Looking along the Yangtze River, a number of newly established conservation centers are rapidly taking shape. In Wuxi, Jiangsu, The First Yangtze River Dolphin Conservation Center in the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River The site has been officially selected in Binhu District, where a modern facility will be built, integrating five core functions: artificial breeding and propagation, emergency rescue and care, scientific research, germplasm conservation and exchange, and science communication and education. Simultaneously with the center’s establishment, there will also be… Yangtze River Downstream Freshwater Fisheries Germplasm Resource Bank of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Focusing on the strategic needs of national seed industry revitalization, we will achieve the preservation and utilization of germplasm resources.

In Hukou, Jiangxi, the Yangtze River–Poyang Lake Aquatic Organism Conservation Center has been completed. 2.2 The nation’s first freshwater fish exhibition hall spanning the entire Yangtze River basin, covering an area of 10,000 square meters, and… 320 The Yangtze River Dolphin Wetland Park has pioneered the integration of ecological conservation with cultural and tourism development.

Conclusion: Let the smile bloom forever.

From “ Endangered ” To “ Frequent occurrences ” The return of the Yangtze finless porpoise is a testament to the remarkable success of ecological conservation efforts in the Yangtze River. 2024 Annual monitoring shows that the abundance of fish resources in the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River has… 2020 Annual growth 3 The number has more than doubled, and the frequency of Yangtze finless porpoise sightings has increased significantly; in Dongting Lake near Yueyang, the range of Yangtze finless porpoise activity has expanded. 30% The frequency of occurrences near the coast has increased significantly.

Protecting the Yangtze finless porpoise means protecting our shared home. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will steadfastly advance the comprehensive protection of the Yangtze River, continuously improving the construction of the finless porpoise conservation center, so that that lively, radiant smile may forever ripple across the clear waters of the Yangtze.

(Note: This article is compiled based on the official website of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, authoritative media reports, and publicly available information from dolphin conservation centers across various regions; the most recent published data shall prevail.)