Blacktip reef sharks have once again been spotted in the waters off Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. Several sharks were seen gliding through the island's shallow coastal waters.

A typical small-to-medium-sized shark found on tropical coral reefs, blacktip reef sharks are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Adults typically measure 1.2 to 1.4 meters in length, with some reaching around 2 meters. Their distinctive black-tipped fins make them easy to identify.

Highly sensitive to environmental conditions, blacktip reef sharks are often regarded as a barometer of ocean health. They thrive in clean, clear waters with temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius and depend on healthy coral reefs with abundant fish, shrimp and crustaceans for food.

Years of continuous marine conservation have made Wuzhizhou Island an ideal habitat for the species.