In the heart of east China's Jiangxi Province, a heartwarming tale of survival is unfolding. As Poyang Lake, the country's largest freshwater lake, enters its low-water season, a team of ecological protection officers is stepping up to ensure the safety of its most adorable residents—the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoises. 🐬💙
These gentle creatures, often called \"smiling angels\" due to their upturned mouths, are facing tough times as water levels drop. But fear not! The guardians of Poyang Lake have a plan. On Thursday, the Poyang Lake Aquatic Life Protection Center in Yugan County released a whopping 18,000 live bait fish into the porpoises' gathering areas. That's like setting up a buffet for these finned friends! 🍽️🐟
\"We released about 300 kilograms of 10-centimeter-long small fish, which are the finless porpoises' favorite food,\" said Wan Shengben, office director of the Yugan County Poyang Lake Wetland Ecological Protection Center. \"We'll keep an eye on the water levels and relocate the porpoises if needed to make sure they get through the winter safely.\"
The Yangtze finless porpoises are not just any creatures; they're a vital indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecosystem. Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes them crucial to conservation efforts. According to a scientific investigation in 2022, their population has bounced back to 1,249, with about 492 making their home in Poyang Lake. That's some fin-tastic news! 🎉
This year, however, Poyang Lake entered the dry season earlier than usual. The water level dipped below the extremely dry line on October 9 and has been hovering around 8 meters since then. With their habitat shrinking, the porpoises have been on the move, extending their range towards waterways in the north and south, and into tributaries of the Yangtze River like the Xinjiang River and Ganjiang River.
The dedicated team at Poyang Lake is closely monitoring these changes. \"We'll replenish water and relocate the finless porpoises according to the hydrological situation,\" Wan said. Their mission? To ensure these smiling angels continue to swim freely and bring joy to all who catch a glimpse of them. 🌊❤️
It's a race against time and nature, but with passion and perseverance, the future looks brighter for these rare porpoises. Let's hope they continue to thrive and grace the waters of Poyang Lake for generations to come. 🙏✨
Reference(s):
Ensuring winter survival for rare porpoises in east China's lake
cgtn.com
