An aisle between the ship and water surface was set up. Through the aisle, a large fish slipped into the longest river in China. Another one, then hundreds and even thousands more followed. 

On April 22, 2020, a total of 10,000 Chinese sturgeons was released into Yangtze River in Yichang city, Hubei province in central China. This is the 62nd release by The Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute of Three Gorges Corp, also the largest scale in recent years. In the last seven years, the number of Chinese sturgeons released were: 2,000 (2014), 3,000(2015), 2020(2016), 500(2017), 500(2018), 700(2019) and 10,000(2020). According to statistics from WWF, a total of 5,030,000 Chinese sturgeons has been released in China since 1984. 

After releasing, the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute tracks them through sonar monitor system along the river. 

The reason for such a big number of released fish this year is that experts have successfully induced two adult females, both fourteen years old, With the help of technology, increasing the survival rate of young fishes. All the Chinese sturgeon released this year are artificially bred. They were released in April because the water temperature rose in spring, and there are enough aquatic creatures to feed the fish. Moreover, fishing is banned on Yangtze River in April, which ensures the safety of released fishes. 

As one of the largest sturgeons, the Chinese sturgeon is honored as a "giant panda in water" for its rarity. The species is evaluated as "critically endangered" by IUCN Red List, as it has been extirpated from most historical ranges due to habitat loss and overfishing. China has several conservation programs, including reserves specifically aimed at this species and restocking through release of young fishes into the Yangtze River. Now, the species is under first-class national protection in the country. 

(Cover image via VCG. Video provided by Lu Zhongcan and Liang Siyan from China Three Gorges Corp, edited by CGTN's Xing Fangyu and An Qi)

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