Yangtze finless porpoises swim in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River. [Photo by Zhu Jianjun to etaizhou.gov.cn]

A survey team found approximately 16 finless porpoises, the "river pig" colloquially, in Jingjiang, a county-level city in Taizhou, on Aug 23 during their field investigation.

This is the most significant number of porpoises observed since the city initiated the Yangtze finless porpoise survey in 2021.

Starting from Aug 18, the Yangtze finless porpoise survey team, formed by the School of Wetland of Yancheng Teachers University and commissioned by Jingjiang ecology and environment bureau, conducted a week-long field investigation in Jingjiang.

The finless porpoise has been classified as critically endangered and listed as a national first-class protected wild animal. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, they are considered an essential indicator of the health of the Yangtze ecosystem.

"The frequent appearance of the finless porpoises in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River reflects the improved ecological environment and the significant increase in fish resources, especially since the implementation of the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River", explained Wang Zhengfei, leader of the survey team.