WANG Xi gave a popular science report on the theme of "The Great Investigation of Animal Extinctions." (Credit: IHB)

During May 13th and 14th, the 19th Public Science Day of the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, kicked off both online and offline. The event, organized by IHB and co-hosted by the Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation (WBCF), and the Hubei Provincial Youth Science and Technology Center, attracted a large number of participants through online live broadcasts, popular science presentations, and open venues.   

The theme of this event was "Encountering Science, Foreseeing the Future." On May 13th, the event began with two exciting special live broadcasts. The Yangtze finless porpoise is a first-class protected animal in China and is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). PENG Bowen, a volunteer at the Baiji Dolphinarium, led the participants on a virtual visit to meet the smiling angels of the Yangtze River - the Yangtze finless porpoises.    

The Chinese sturgeon is the largest individual fish in the Yangtze River and is known as the "King of Yangtze Fish." It is also a first-class protected animal in China. However, there is a type of sturgeon that can be found in supermarkets. What are the differences between the two? WANG Xi and XU Yiyang, volunteers at the Museum of Hydrobiological Sciences, gave a presentation on sturgeon knowledge with the theme "Sturgeon - From Ancient Times to Today," explaining how to distinguish between the Chinese sturgeon and edible sturgeon.   

On May 14th, more than 50 students and their parents visited the institute for scientific activities. WANG Xi gave a popular science report on the theme of "The Great Investigation of Animal Extinctions." The report vividly analyzed the reasons for the five major extinctions in the form of a case investigation.    

Through the combination of online and offline activities, the institute leveraged its unique features to create a culture of scientific innovation, inspiring public enthusiasm for science, and allowing everyone to experience the charm of science from various perspectives. 

Participants visited the Museum of Hydrobiological Sciences (Credit: IHB)