Securing survival through winter for scarce porpoises in a lake in East China
Winter survival for rare porpoises in a lake in eastern China is a critical concern. The article explores the challenges faced by these unique marine mammals during the colder months and outlines the efforts being made to protect their habitat and ensure their well-being.
TroibNews 
Ecological protection officers in Jiangxi Province, located in east China, have provided food resources for the Yangtze finless porpoises living in Poyang Lake, the country's largest freshwater lake, which has entered its annual low-water period.
On Thursday, the Poyang Lake Aquatic Life Protection Center in Yugan County released 18,000 live bait fish, including four major Chinese carp and crucian carp, into the porpoises' gathering area.
"We released about 300 kilograms of 10-centimeter-long small fish, which are the finless porpoises' favorite food. We will replenish water and relocate the finless porpoises according to the subsequent hydrological situation to ensure that the animals will survive the winter safely," noted Wan Shengben, office director of the Yugan County Poyang Lake Wetland Ecological Protection Center.
The Yangtze finless porpoises inhabit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin, including Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake, and the main Yangtze River. Classified as a wild animal under national first-class protection, they serve as a crucial indicator of the health of the Yangtze ecosystem due to their sensitivity to environmental changes.
A scientific survey conducted in 2022 revealed that the population of Yangtze finless porpoises had increased to 1,249, with approximately 492 residing in Poyang Lake.
This autumn, Poyang Lake has entered the dry season earlier than usual, with water levels hovering around 8 meters after dropping below the extremely dry level on October 9, significantly reducing the habitat space for finless porpoises.
Preliminary research results on the Yangtze finless porpoise in Poyang Lake during the dry season indicate that the habitat of this endangered species is gradually expanding its range towards the waterways to the north and south, as well as the tributaries of the Yangtze River, including the Xinjiang River and Ganjiang River.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
On Thursday, the Poyang Lake Aquatic Life Protection Center in Yugan County released 18,000 live bait fish, including four major Chinese carp and crucian carp, into the porpoises' gathering area.
"We released about 300 kilograms of 10-centimeter-long small fish, which are the finless porpoises' favorite food. We will replenish water and relocate the finless porpoises according to the subsequent hydrological situation to ensure that the animals will survive the winter safely," noted Wan Shengben, office director of the Yugan County Poyang Lake Wetland Ecological Protection Center.
The Yangtze finless porpoises inhabit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin, including Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake, and the main Yangtze River. Classified as a wild animal under national first-class protection, they serve as a crucial indicator of the health of the Yangtze ecosystem due to their sensitivity to environmental changes.
A scientific survey conducted in 2022 revealed that the population of Yangtze finless porpoises had increased to 1,249, with approximately 492 residing in Poyang Lake.
This autumn, Poyang Lake has entered the dry season earlier than usual, with water levels hovering around 8 meters after dropping below the extremely dry level on October 9, significantly reducing the habitat space for finless porpoises.
Preliminary research results on the Yangtze finless porpoise in Poyang Lake during the dry season indicate that the habitat of this endangered species is gradually expanding its range towards the waterways to the north and south, as well as the tributaries of the Yangtze River, including the Xinjiang River and Ganjiang River.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
