Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise is making a hopeful return to central China's Hubei Province. Local photographer Yang He, who has documented the species for years, reports increased sightings along the riverbanksāa quiet victory for conservationists battling overfishing and industrial pollution.
\"Five years ago, we'd be lucky to spot one during a weeklong expedition. Now, they surface almost daily,\" Yang told myglobalnews.net, sharing images of the playful aquatic mammals breaching murky waters. His documentation has become vital evidence for policymakers enforcing fishing bans and habitat restoration under China's Yangtze River Protection Law enacted in 2021.
The turnaround aligns with broader eco-initiatives highlighted in CGTN's new series Eyes Over Hubei, which explores the province's ecological and cultural revival. Reporter Morag Hobbs traces how balanced policiesāfrom wetland rehabilitation to sustainable tourismāare reshaping the region's relationship with Asiaās longest river.
With only about 1,000 Yangtze finless porpoises remaining globally, experts call this resurgence a critical test case for biodiversity efforts worldwide. As Yang puts it: \"When the porpoises thrive, it means the river breathes again.\"
Reference(s):
'Eyes Over Hubei': The return of the Yangtze finless porpoise
cgtn.com
