WUHAN: A pod of the Yangtze finless porpoise has been seen spy-hopping above the silvery surface of the Yangtze River, China’s longest river, attracting shutterbugs and nearby residents who want to catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures. They are the only freshwater subspecies of the finless porpoise family and pulse through the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River. In January 2018, a fishing ban was implemented in 83 aquatic nature reserves across Hubei to restore the ecological environment and protect the endangered species in the Yangtze River basin. To further preserve biodiversity along the river, China in January 2020 implemented a full fishing ban in 332 conservation areas in the Yangtze River basin. On Feb. 4, 2021, China revised its list of endangered wild animals, elevating the conservation of 65 types of wild animals, including the Yangtze finless porpoise, to the strictest level-one protection from second highest.

Source: Manila Times May 12, 2021 16:30 UTC