F9C24 and his mother "Fu Jiu" (Credit: WBCF)

On June 20, 2024, the Fourth Finless Porpoise Care Month was launched with a live streaming event showcasing the birth of a baby Yangtze finless porpoise. The Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences released exclusive footage of the labor and birth, drawing nationwide attention from online viewers. 

The newborn, a male calf named F9C24, arrived on June 9 at 6:15 PM. At birth, he measured approximately 70 centimeters in length and weighed around 5 kilograms. His mother, "Fu Jiu," is a 15-year-old Yangtze finless porpoise who was introduced to the IHB's Baiji Dolphinarium from Poyang Lake in 2011. His father, "Tao Tao," is a 19-year-old finless porpoise born in captivity on July 5, 2005, and is known for being the first Yangtze finless porpoise successfully bred in an artificial environment. 

Last June, researchers detected Fu Jiu's pregnancy through continuous monitoring. After a 12-month gestation period, Fu Jiu successfully delivered F9C24. The calf nursed immediately, and mother and son are reported to be in good health, with normal breastfeeding behavior and developmental progress.

The event follows last year's successful live stream of Fu Jiu's first calf, "F9C22". This global first in live-streaming the birth of a Yangtze finless porpoise attracted 220 million online viewers, celebrating the arrival of a "national treasure."

As "Xiao Jiu Jiu," the now nearly two-year-old F9C22, flourishes at 42 kilograms and 1.27 meters in length, the porpoise family has grown with the arrival of a new sibling, further adding to their joy. 

June, the peak of Yangtze finless porpoise breeding season, also marks a critical time for maternal and calf care. In June 2021, IHB and the Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation （WBCF） launched the "Finless Porpoise Care Month" campaign, establishing June as a month dedicated to promoting Yangtze finless porpoise conservation and ecological culture. This year, the addition of Fu Jiu's second calf brings even more excitement to the annual event.

From birth, Yangtze finless porpoise emit sounds akin to a newborn's first cry. This vocal communication is crucial between mother and calf, particularly as underwater noise pollution can disrupt this interaction. High-intensity noise can separate calves from their mothers, posing significant survival risks. To address this, IHB and the WBCF are advancing the "Quiet Yangtze" initiative. This program utilizes acoustic monitoring to raise awareness about underwater noise pollution and its impact on porpoise survival, especially for young calves. The goal is to encourage maritime sectors to adhere to the Yangtze Protection Law, implement navigation restrictions, and reduce noise pollution.

According to the 2022 Yangtze finless porpoise ecological survey, the population now stands at 1,249, a significant increase from 1,012 in 2017, signaling a positive trend in conservation efforts. 

Wuhan has also been proactive in its "Yangtze Finless Porpoises Return to the City" initiative, which has led to the establishment of three distinct porpoise populations in the Yangtze's Wuhan stretch. With the success of these initiatives, Wuhan is now focusing on a new chapter with the "I Love Yangtze Finless Porpoises" campaign, including the establishment of the Wuhan Yangtze Finless Porpoise Breeding and Conservation Research Center.

The city is also embracing digital innovation in finless porpoise conservation, creating a comprehensive digital ecosystem to enhance habitat protection, scientific monitoring, and public engagement. 

Stay tuned for upcoming live streams of new Yangtze finless porpoise calf, continuing the tradition of sharing these precious moments with the world.

"Fu Jiu," F9C24's mother (Credit: WBCF)