YIN Zhan, director of IHB, gives a welcome speech at the inauguration ceremony, May 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

The Wuhan Yangtze Finless Porpoise Breeding and Conservation Center, jointly established by the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Wuhan Municipal Government, was inaugurated at the institute's Baiji Dolphinarium on May 22.    

Over the past two years, Yangtze finless porpoises were sighted in the river section of Wuhan, even swimming into the Han River, giving hope for their return to the city.   

A second generation of Yangtze finless porpoises has been successfully bred at the Baiji Dolphinarium. “With the support of many parties, the institute will continue to promote the planning and construction of the Yangtze finless porpoises national cultural park and China Yangtze finless porpoises bay in the city," said YIN Zhan, director of IHB.   

"This Center combines the scientific research advantages of IHB with the location advantages of Wuhan,” said WANG Qinghua, vice mayor of Wuhan, adding that Wuhan municipal government will cooperate with IHB to make the city a national scientific and educational base for cetacean research. 

Later, Prof. GUI Jianfang, a CAS member, and the vice mayor jointly unveiled the plaque for the research center. Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and IHB signed a cooperation agreement.  

On that same day, two Science Popularization Stations, one by Prof. Gui and the other by Prof. DENG Zixin, a member of CAS, jointly conducted a science popularization activity on "Keeping the Smile of the Porpoise".   

Online and offline audiences were offered a feast of scientific knowledge about porpoises and baiji dolphins via lectures, visits to specimens of baiji dolphins, and visits to the porpoise breeding hall.   

Wuhan Yangtze Finless Porpoise Breeding and Conservation Center is a key part of the initiative to return the finless porpoise to Wuhan, and Wuhan Municipal Government plans to invest 4.5 million RMB in the construction and operation of the center in four years.   

The center also includes an education base for cetacean studies, which will conduct research on reproductive biology, ecology, bioacoustics and conservation biology of Yangtze finless porpoises. 

WANG Qinghua, vice mayor of Wuhan, gives remarks at the inauguration ceremony, May 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

Prof. GUI Jianfang (3rd L) and WANG Qinghua, vice mayor of Wuhan, jointly unveil the plaque for the Wuhan Yangtze Finless Porpoise Breeding and Conservation Center. (Credit: IHB) 

Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and IHB sign a cooperation agreement. (Credit: IHB) 

The Wuhan Yangtze Finless Porpoise Breeding and Conservation Center, jointly established by the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Wuhan Municipal Government, was inaugurated at the institute's Baiji Dolphinarium on May 22. (Credit: IHB)

WANG Qinghua, vice mayor of Wuhan, visits the Baiji Dolphinarium. (Credit: IHB)
 

The center also includes an education base for cetacean studies, which will conduct research on reproductive biology, ecology, bioacoustics and conservation biology of Yangtze finless porpoises. (Credit: IHB)