Two Yangtze finless porpoises joined four others May 9 during a Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs publicity event at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom's artificial breeding and science popularization base in Hengqin New Area.  

Chimelong initiated preparatory work on the base in 2016. As of today, it has three male and three female Yangtze finless porpoises aged between 3 and 12. In addition to sound software and hardware, it has a research team of more than 10 members, according to deputy general manager Li Zhanwei.

The plaque for the base was unveiled by Yu Kangzhen, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, and Ye Zhenqin of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee.

Yangtze finless porpoise [Photo courtesy Nanfangplus]

Several Yangtze finless porpoise activities were organized by the ministry and Guangdong government. Experts and guests toured the Chimelong breeding facilities and spoke highly of achievements in animal and plant breeding and protection. 

An agreement on dedicated funding for Yangtze aquatic wildlife protection was signed that day by the Aquatic Wildlife Protection Branch of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, Shanghai Yangtze River Fish Protection Foundation, and Guangdong Chimelong Philanthropic Foundation.

The Chimelong Philanthropic Foundation will donate 1 million yuan ($155,800) for each of five consecutive years for the protection, aid, and breeding of Yangtze finless porpoises.

The Yangtze finless porpoise is a freshwater mammal endemic to the western Yangtze River. It is also known as the "giant panda of the water" and "smiling angel." The effects of water pollution, illegal sand excavation, and navigation have left only about a thousand finless porpoises in the Yangtze, said Wang Ding of the Institute of Hydrobiology of Chinese Academy of Sciences.  

China has made initial achievements in aiding and breeding under the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Rescue Plan (2016-25). Zhao Nongmin, deputy director of the ministry's Yangtze River Basin Fishery Supervision & Management Office, noted that nine natural reserves have been set up.

Moreover, 150 finless porpoises have been relocated for protection, and 20 have been artificially bred. The accelerated scientific research has produced many successful cases of artificial breeding, and more social forces have joined to protect the species.