The decline rate of Yangtze finless porpoises, a first-class state-protected animal in China, has slowed, aided by protection efforts.

The main habitat of finless porpoises, the only mammal in the Yangtze River, is the river's mainstream as well as the Dongting and Poyang lakes. The number of finless porpoises was about 2,700 in the 1990s, which declined to about 1,800 in 2006. In 2012, it decreased to about 1,045 while the number further shrank to 1,012 in 2017.

Local and central governments implemented various measures to protect the creature, including in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation and artificial breeding.

The decline of finless porpoises has slowed down from a yearly average of about 56 during the period of 1990s to 2006, to about six during the period of 2012 to 2017.

The precious animal has been spotted more often in east China recently, as the environment of its habitats has been improving and the finless porpoise protection has been intensified.

However, there isn't evidence showing the increase of Yangtze finless porpoises, as there isn't new scientific survey to investigate the number and distribution of the Yangtze finless porpoises.

The protection of the finless porpoise seems to have a bright future in the country, but there is still a long way to go.

(Cover image is a screenshot.)

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