(Handout via Xinhua Daily)

October 24 marks International Freshwater Dolphin Day and China’s Yangtze Finless Porpoise Conservation Day. On this day, Nanjing kicked off a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the endangered aquatic species.

During the campaign, Nanjing will host a photography exhibition dedicated to the species, as well as a charity run event centered around its conservation.

According to the latest survey, approximately 65 Yangtze finless porpoises inhabit a dedicated nature reserve in Nanjing. Established in 2014, the reserve covers a planned water area of more than 80 square kilometers. The survey team also observed mother-and-calf pairs on nine occasions, indicating a promising growth potential for the population.

Since the implementation of the Yangtze River conservation strategy, sightings of the Yangtze finless porpoise have become more frequent. Zhang Jun, head of the nature reserve management center, said Nanjing is the only city along the Yangtze River where people can observe the finless porpoise up close in the city center. Previously, researchers believed that autumn and winter were the best seasons to catch a glimpse of the mammal in Nanjing. In recent years, the opportunities to see the species have increased throughout the year.