Yangtze River Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve

Yangtze River Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve

The Yangtze River Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

The Hubei Yangtze River Tian'e Zhou Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve is located in Shishou City, Hubei Province, covering an area of 2,000 hectares. It was established in 1990 with the approval of the Hubei Provincial People's Government and upgraded to a national-level reserve in 1992. Its primary conservation targets are the Baiji dolphin and its ecological environment.

Tian'e Zhou is a former channel of the Yangtze River, located about 20 kilometers downstream of Shishou City on the northern bank of the river. The channel stretches 20.9 kilometers in length and covers a water surface area of 18–20 square kilometers. During the flood season, it connects with the Yangtze River. The channel boasts abundant food sources, favorable hydrological conditions, and water quality nearly matching that of the Yangtze River, with minimal pollution. As this area was once part of the habitat of the critically endangered Baiji dolphin, the reserve serves as a crucial site for the semi-natural protection and recovery of the Baiji dolphin population. Currently, the reserve is conducting ex-situ conservation efforts for the Baiji dolphin and has successfully captured and relocated one Baiji dolphin to the Tian'e Zhou channel.