Shishou Yangtze Finless Porpoises

Shishou Yangtze Finless Porpoises

　　The finless porpoise is an important ecological symbol of Shishou. The Shishou section of the Yangtze River is one of the most vital natural habitats for the species, home to a stable population of wild Yangtze finless porpoises. The Tian'e Zhou Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve within Shishou is the first translocation site in China for the ex-situ conservation of Yangtze finless porpoises. Since the establishment of the reserve in 1992, the finless porpoise population has been steadily increasing. There are over 60 porpoises in the old course of the Yangtze River at Tian'e Zhou, and around 35 porpoises living and breeding in the Shishou section of the river. Moreover, the Shishou finless porpoise population continues to grow at an annual rate of 10%. On December 19, 2016, the China Wildlife Conservation Association officially awarded Shishou the title of “Hometown of the Chinese Finless Porpoise.”

　　Source: Official WeChat account of Shishou City