IHB and the Xinluo Nature Reserve sign a cooperation agreement on Yangtze finless porpoise adaptative training, June 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise Awareness Month is celebrated every June in order to raise public awareness about this endangered species. The related activities, organized by the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation (WBCF) were held in the Xinluo Baiji National Nature Reserve on June 22, 2022.    

The Xinluo Baiji National Nature Reserve was established in the early 1990s with the support from IHB and various parties. Located at the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the reserve provides a model reserve base that combines scientific research with rewilding domestication along with rescue and treatment for cetaceans.   

“The reserve has initially built a scientific research and education base in Laowan, Honghu City, which has a natural oxbow about 10 km long and water monitoring facilities. This water is the only Yangtze finless porpoise adaptive training water in the Yangtze River basin,”said GUO Lihe, director of the reserve.    

As part of the event, IHB and the Xinluo Nature Reserve signed a cooperation agreement on Yangtze finless porpoise adaptative training, which will serve as the basis for establishing the "Yangtze Finless Porpoise Adaptative Training Experimental Station (Laowan)".   

“Through the experimental station, we will conduct scientific research on Yangtze finless porpoise and environmental monitoring of resources in Laowan oxbow, promote adaptive training for Yangtze finless porpoise, and provide technical support for Yangtze river protection strategies,”said LIANG Qiong, deputy director of IHB.   

The WBCF will actively promote the project “Yangtze finless porpoise return to Wuhan” through the construction of a joint lab. “The joint lab will promote the sustainable development of the ex-situ finless porpoise population and the return of the ex-situ finless porpoise to the Yangtze,”said Prof. WANG Kexiong, secretary general of the WBCF.   

The activity also included a painting and calligraphy exhibition on the theme of "Yangtze River Ecological Protection" at Laowan base. A local calligraphy association provided more than 50 pieces of excellent paintings and calligraphy works. Mr. KONG Keli, a famous calligrapher, presented his calligraphy work "Welcome the porpoise back to its home" at the event.    

Students from the First Elementary School in Honghu, led by their teachers, pledged to be the young guardians of the Yangtze River and the finless porpoise. The students prepared a vivid and interesting children's play about the Yangtze finless porpoise, presenting the characteristics, habits and living environment of the flagship species of the Yangtze River ecology.   

The WBCF also led the netizens into the four science exhibition halls of the reserve via livestream. Through detailed and vivid explanations by the reserve staff, the public were able to learn about the protection of wetlands and aquatic plants and animals in the reserve as well as patrolling and inspectioning. 

GUO Lihe, director of the Xinluo Baiji National Nature Reserve, gives remarks at the opening ceremony of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Awareness Month in Honghu, June 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

LIANG Qiong, deputy director of IHB, gives remarks at the opening ceremony of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Awareness Month in Honghu, June 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise Adaptative Training Experimental Station (Laowan) is unveiled, June 22, 2022 (Credit: IHB) 

Prof. WANG Kexiong, secretary general of the WBCF, gives remarks at the opening ceremony of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Awareness Month in Honghu, June 22, 2022. (Credit: IHB) 

Mr. KONG Keli, a famous calligrapher, presents his calligraphy work "Welcome the porpoise back to its home" at the event. (Credit: IHB)  

The activity also includes a painting and calligraphy exhibition on the theme of "Yangtze River Ecological Protection" at Laowan base. (Credit: IHB) 

Students pledge to be the young guardians of the Yangtze River and the finless porpoise. (Credit: IHB) 

 
The WBCF leads the netizens into the four science exhibition halls of the reserve via livestream. (Credit: IHB)