The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is a unique freshwater cetacean endemic to China’s Yangtze River basin. It is the country’s only known freshwater porpoise, especially following the functional extinction of the Baiji dolphin. This critically endangered species had an estimated population of around 1,249 individuals in 2023. Its presence and health indicate the ecological well-being of its freshwater ecosystem.
The Main River Habitat
The primary residence for the Yangtze finless porpoise is the main channel of the Yangtze River, stretching over 6,300 kilometers through China. The river’s flow and depth offer suitable conditions for their movement and foraging activities.
Porpoises navigate the main river to find food sources like fish, prawns, and shrimp. While found throughout the main body of the river, their distribution has become fragmented. Specific concentrations occur between Ezhou and Nanjing, with lower densities in other sections from Yichang to Jingzhou, Xintan to Taunfeng, and Jiangyin to Shanghai.
Associated Water Bodies
Beyond the main river, interconnected lakes and tributaries within the Yangtze River basin are crucial habitats for the finless porpoise. Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake, naturally connected to the Yangtze River, serve as important areas for the species, acting as refuges during certain seasons or when main river conditions are less favorable.
These lake systems provide breeding grounds and feeding areas, supplementing resources available in the main river channel. The unique characteristics of these lakes, such as varying water levels and diverse aquatic vegetation, offer different ecological niches. In 2022, surveys indicated approximately 492 finless porpoises in Poyang Lake and 162 in Dongting Lake, highlighting their importance to the overall population.
Threats to Its Home
The Yangtze finless porpoise’s habitat faces numerous environmental challenges driven by human activities. Pollution from industrial, agricultural, and plastic sources degrades water quality, directly impacting the porpoises. Extensive shipping traffic on the Yangtze River introduces noise pollution and increases collision risks, which can injure or kill porpoises.
Sand dredging operations, particularly in lakes connected to the Yangtze, destroy the porpoise’s habitat and disturb the animals. Dam and barrage construction fragments the river system, isolating porpoise populations and disrupting their access to food and breeding grounds. These activities collectively reduce food availability and alter the natural flow and sediment patterns of the river and lake systems.
Protecting Its Habitat
Conservation efforts are underway to preserve and restore the Yangtze finless porpoise’s natural living environment. Protected areas and nature reserves, including in-situ (on-site) and ex-situ (off-site) locations like the Tian-e-zhou Oxbow, provide safe havens for the species. Regulations on shipping and fishing in key zones aim to reduce direct threats and allow the porpoises to thrive.
Initiatives to improve water quality through stricter controls on industrial and agricultural discharges are being implemented. Ecological restoration projects rehabilitate degraded river and lake systems, enhancing habitat suitability. International and local collaborations coordinate these efforts, ensuring a comprehensive approach to protecting the finless porpoise and its unique freshwater home.