On May 9, the "2021 Yangtze finless porpoise conservation and popular science publicity theme event" was held in Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. The Yangtze finless porpoise conservation experts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs sent two wild Yangtze finless porpoises to their new home, the "Zhuhai Chimelong Yangtze finless porpoise artificial breeding and popular science education base" of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The two wild Yangtze finless porpoises will form a big family with the four Yangtze finless porpoises that have lived in before, and start a new life. The reporter learned that tourists are expected to meet them in the finless porpoise exhibition area of Chimelong Ocean Science Museum, which will be opened this year, and they can also participate in rich finless porpoise science courses and interactive activities.
The Yangtze finless porpoise is a rare freshwater mammal unique to my country. It is vividly likened to a "smiling angel" because of its naive appearance. However, affected by human activities such as water pollution, illegal sand mining, and shipping, there are now only more than 1,000 of this species in the entire Yangtze River, and it is also the only remaining freshwater cetacean in the Yangtze River.
In recent years, with the efforts of many parties, the protection, rescue and artificial breeding of finless porpoises have achieved preliminary results. On the one hand, habitat protection has been continuously strengthened, the census of the Yangtze finless porpoise is regularly organized, the impact of water environment quality, human activities and other factors on the Yangtze finless porpoise has been scientifically assessed, and 9 Yangtze finless porpoise nature reserves have been established. On the other hand, ex situ protection has been continuously strengthened. At present, the ex situ population of is close to 150, and the average number of young dolphins born annually exceeds 10 . Wuhan Baiji Dolphinarium, Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park and the net fence of the Old Road of the Yangtze River have established a number of artificial protection groups, with a total of nearly 20 groups. At the same time, scientific research such as artificial breeding technology is also speeding up.
On the same day's event ceremony, Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park were officially awarded the plaque of "the artificial breeding and popular science education base of Yangtze finless porpoise of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs".The Aquatic Wildlife Protection Branch of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the Shanghai Changyu Yangtze River Aquatic Life Protection Foundation, and the Chimelong Charity Foundation jointly signed a special fund agreement for the protection of the Yangtze River aquatic life.
Starting this year, the Chimelong Charity Foundation will donate 1 million yuan each year for five consecutive years for the protection, rescue and breeding of the Yangtze finless porpoise.
【Reporter】Hu Yuyu
【Correspondent】Feng Yongyi
【Author】 Hu Yuyu
【Source】Southern Newspaper Media Group South+Client
Source:South+ - Creating More Value
