Hey there, nature lovers! 🌿
Big news from Hubei Province in central China! The region is stepping up its game in wildlife protection, and the results are nothing short of amazing. Two rare and beautiful species—the milu deer and the Yangtze finless porpoise—are making a huge comeback! 🦌🐬
A Tale of Two Species
The milu deer, once native to the wetlands of the Yangtze River's middle and lower reaches, disappeared from China in the early 1900s due to war and natural disasters. But guess what? They made a triumphant return in 1985 after being reintroduced from Britain. Talk about a comeback story!
Meanwhile, the Yangtze finless porpoise, often dubbed the \"giant panda of the water,\" is making waves in the best way possible. These adorable porpoises are only found in the middle and lower sections of the Yangtze River and are a key indicator of the river's health.
Seeing is Believing
Zhang Rong, a dedicated documentary director, has spent the last seven years capturing the beauty of these creatures at the Tian'ezhou Milu Deer National Nature Reserve in Shishou City, Hubei. Along with his team, he's witnessed a significant surge in both milu deer and porpoise populations.
Back in 1991, experts chose the Tian'ezhou Wetland to establish a nature reserve. Thanks to ongoing efforts to improve the environment—especially along the Yangtze River—the milu deer population has skyrocketed from just 64 between 1993 and 1994 to over 3,800 today! 🎉
Not to be outdone, the Yangtze finless porpoise population in the reserve has grown from a mere five to an impressive 101 over a similar period. That's a fin-tastic achievement!
Coexisting in Harmony
\"We need to ensure wild animals thrive on their own without human interference,\" Zhang Rong emphasizes. \"They have their world, and we have ours. The best outcome is when our two worlds coexist in harmony.\" 🌏🤝
A Healthy Ecosystem Matters
In recent years, Hubei has been pulling out all the stops to restore the river basin's ecological environment. Initiatives like the five-level river and lake chief system, forest management, fishing bans, shoreline regulation, and greening projects are making a real difference.
\"The Yangtze finless porpoise is at the top of the food chain,\" Zhang explains. \"If there's enough fish for them, it means the whole ecosystem is healthy. Likewise, if the milu deer can reproduce successfully, it shows that the tidal flats' ecosystem is in good shape too. If these two species are thriving, the entire water and wetland ecology is doing well.\" 🌱🌊
Why It Matters
This isn't just good news for Hubei or China—it's a win for global biodiversity. Protecting these species helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, which is crucial for our planet's health. So next time you hear about efforts to protect wildlife, remember that every action counts!
Reference(s):
Hubei ramps up rare animal protection efforts, sees populations spike
cgtn.com
