Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve

Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve

Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve

The sturgeon nature reserve is a provincial-level protected area in Jiangsu. The Chinese sturgeon is a globally endangered species — a large anadromous fish that can reach around 4 meters in length and weigh more than 500 kilograms, making it the largest in the sturgeon family. It is a descendant of ancient acanthodians, dating back about 140 million years, and is known as a "living fossil of the fish world," also earning the reputation of the "panda of the water." The Chinese sturgeon is a rare and precious fish species with extremely high economic and scientific value. The Dongtai Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve was established in 2000 after evaluation and argumentation by national, provincial experts, and senior officials. It includes a Chinese sturgeon breeding and research center and has implemented annual releases since 2002.

The Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve is located between 120°50′ east longitude and 32°40′ to 33°15′ north latitude. The reserve covers an area of 35.96 square kilometers, roughly equivalent to the built-up area of Dongtai City. This includes a core zone of 5.38 square kilometers, a buffer zone of 10.2 square kilometers, and an experimental zone of 20.36 square kilometers. The area features lush tidal flats, beautiful waters, a mild climate, and abundant resources. According to statistics, there are 701 species of wild animals in this region, including 220 species of invertebrates and 481 species of vertebrates. Since ancient times,

the Chinese sturgeon, as a species unique to China, has migrated to these waters during spring and summer seasons to inhabit and fatten.