🐬🌊 The Yangtze River just got a whole lot happier! Over 20 of the adorable \"smiling angels,\" aka Yangtze finless porpoises, were spotted playing in the waters of Xiangyin County, Yueyang City in central China's Hunan Province.
\"I was totally thrilled when I snapped photos of these amazing creatures,\" said photographer Yi Hui. \"They were flipping and jumping, like they were saying 'hola' to me!\" 📸✨
The Yangtze finless porpoise, under top-level national protection in China, is known for its grin-shaped snout that melts hearts everywhere. But these cuties have been in trouble, with their numbers dropping from about 2,500 in 1991 to just over 1,000 in 2017. 😔 Thanks to issues like overfishing, boat traffic, and habitat loss, they were facing a gloomy future.
But wait, here's the good news! ✨💪 Through serious conservation efforts and eco-friendly moves, these porpoises are making a comeback. The latest expedition in 2022 by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows their population has jumped by a whopping 23.4%, up to 1,249 porpoises! 🥳
This sighting in Yueyang City is like nature's way of saying, \"We're back!\" It's a splash of hope for the Yangtze River's ecosystem and a reminder that when we take care of Mother Earth, she smiles back at us. 🌍❤️
So next time you're scrolling through your feed, remember that even small actions can make waves. Let's keep the smiles going—for the porpoises and for us! 😊🌊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
