TIAN Wenjie: A Yangtze Finless Porpoise(CR) Preys on a Japanese Grenadier Anchovy, Natural Law vs. Humane Care | CBCGDF Media Reports

Recently, in Jingjiang County, Jiangsu, Yangtze finless porpoise protection volunteers used drones to conduct land-based observations of finless porpoises and captured a very rare scene: a young Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) was struggling to catch a silvery-white Japanese grenadier anchovy (Coilia nasus). The waves in the river were rolling, and the silvery-white fish was desperately trying to avoid it. The Yangtze finless porpoise chased it relentlessly. After a extreme tug of war, the silvery-white fish unfortunately died in the porpoise's mouth. The whole process took only about three or four minutes.

The Yangtze finless porpoise is a first-class wild protected animal in China and is a critically endangered species. It is currently the only surviving whale species in the Yangtze River. It is at the top of the Yangtze River food chain and plays an important role in reflecting the ecology of the Yangtze River. The Japanese grenadier anchovy is a river-sea migratory fish. Before the implementation of the fishing ban, due to factors such as overfishing and ecological environment deterioration, the Japanese grenadier anchovy resources in Yangtze River declined sharply and were listed as "endangered" species in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

Regarding the incident of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Preying on the Japanese Grenadier Anchovy, local relevant departments and volunteers believed that this was a significant and gratifying achievement of the Yangtze River protection, especially the implementation of the ten-year fishing ban policy. The ecological environment of the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River has improved year by year, the fish resources have increased significantly, and the number has also increased year by year. The abundant fish resources provide sufficient food sources for the Yangtze finless porpoises.

Continuous investigations in recent years have found that there are two stable populations of Yangtze finless porpoise in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River, with a number of more than 40, distributed in the upstream Xinqiao section and the downstream Mucheng Park section. Both populations have new individuals, and the number is increasing year by year. At present, Jingjiang is continuing to carry out special monitoring and protection work for Yangtze finless porpoises.

Since ancient times, "survival of the fittest" has been the law of survival in nature. It seems cruel, but it is the natural selection that has enabled civilization and species to continue, evolve and optimize for hundreds of millions of years. Humans are witnesses and bystanders of the laws of nature. Although Yangtze finless porpoises  and Japanese grenadier anchovies are both very rare and precious fishery resources, after comprehensive analysis of various aspects, humans will believe that this is a reflection of the improvement of the ecological environment in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River. In terms of protection status, the Yangtze finless porpoise should take precedence over the knife fish, which is also an indisputable fact.

Original article:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/KH78K7BP8D4Eh4iRdrzicg

Translator: Daisy

Checked by Sara

Editor: Daisy

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