Chinese Mainland Unveils 10-Year Plan to Protect Yangtze Finless Porpoise 🐬

Get ready…🐬 This week, the Chinese mainland unveiled a 10-year action plan (2026–2035) to protect the Yangtze finless porpoise, the river's only freshwater cetacean. Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and other departments, the plan combines in-situ conservation—keeping porpoises safe in the middle and lower Yangtze, Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake—with ex-situ efforts like artificial breeding in safe facilities.

Why should you care? The finless porpoise is the ultimate barometer for the Yangtze ecosystem. When its numbers rise, the river thrives. After facing a steep decline in the past, dedicated teams have already reversed the trend. Now, the new plan aims for stable population growth, stronger habitat protection and uses the porpoise as an 'umbrella species' to guide broader river restoration.

From high-tech monitoring to community-driven rescue centers, this decade-long mission is a real-life eco-adventure. Whether you're an aspiring scientist, an eco-conscious traveler or just love a great comeback story, the Yangtze finless porpoise is the river's rising star—and we can't wait to see it shine! 🌊✨

Reference(s):

China to boost decade-long conservation of Yangtze finless porpoise

cgtn.com