The Yangtze finless porpoise, known as the "giant panda of the water," is a barometer of the ecological environment in the Yangtze River basin.
The endangered species has nearly half of its population living in Poyang Lake, the country's largest freshwater lake in Jiangxi Province.
In November last year, the prolonged drought lowered the water level of the lake sharply. Over 100 finless porpoises were soon transferred to the deep-water area after being found stranded.
Now, Poyang Lake is still in its dry season.
The local fishery administration has beefed up efforts to protect the species, including arranging more patrols, monitoring their living status and cleaning up the lake.
Since the fishing ban took effect in pivotal waters of the Yangtze River in January 2020, the living conditions of the finless porpoises have been greatly improved as newborns continue to trickle in.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
