An aerial drone photo taken on May 10, 2024 shows a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.
Zhang Bajin, 62, an ex-crewman of the cargo ship on the Yangtze River, has been working as a breeder at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve since 2006. After a dozen years of care and feeding, Zhang can distinguish each Yangtze finless porpoise through subtle differences. Thanks to the joint efforts of Zhang and his colleagues, the number of Yangtze finless porpoise in the base has grown from four to more than a dozen now.
To restore the biodiversity along the Yangtze River, China imposed a full fishing ban in 332 conservation areas of the Yangtze River basin in January 2020. The move has since been expanded to a 10-year moratorium along the river's main streams and major tributaries, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Yangtze finless porpoise has seen a recovery as the species has been more frequently spotted. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the population of Yangtze finless porpoises had increased to 1,249 in 2022, up 23.42 percent from 2017. (Photo by Chen Lei/Xinhua)
Zhang Bajin walks towards the river bank to feed Yangtze finless porpoises at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province, May 10, 2024. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.(Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Zhang Bajin prepares fish to feed Yangtze finless porpoises at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province, May 10, 2024. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.(Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
A Yangtze finless porpoise is seen at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province, May 10, 2024. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.(Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
An aerial drone photo taken on May 10, 2024 shows Zhang Bajin feeding Yangtze finless porpoises at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.(Photo by Chen Lei/Xinhua)
Zhang Bajin feeds Yangtze finless porpoises at a Yangtze finless porpoise relocation conservation base in Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve in Tongling, east China's Anhui Province, May 10, 2024. Known as the "giant panda of the water," the Yangtze finless porpoise, which is under top-level state protection in China, is an important indicator of the health of the Yangtze River ecology. This species can only be found in the middle and lower main streams of the Yangtze River.(Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
