A large pod of Yangtze finless porpoises was spotted near Dongting Lake in central China's Hunan Province this Saturday during the fourth Yangtze finless porpoise scientific expedition of the species.

According to the expedition, the porpoises are concentrated around the mouth of Dongting Lake. Several porpoises breached together, including at least two cow-calf pairs. More than 120 people and over 20 research institutes are involved in the expedition, and data on porpoises' population and distribution, as well as the habitat environment will be collected.

Yangtze finless porpoises are a critically endangered freshwater species endemic to China. Their population reflects the overall ecological quality of the water. Based on a survey conducted in 2017, about 1,012 porpoises are present in the Yangtze River.

(Cover image via CFP.)

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