Yangtze finless porpoise: smiling river rarity

There’s new hope for this rare and endangered Chinese river porpoise.

The Yangtze River finless porpoise species:

Critically endangered (Around 1,000 remain) Neophocaena asiaeorientalis

Affected by: Climate change , Habitat loss and fragmentation , Food & farming

The Yangtze river’s finless porpoise is one of the very few porpoises (relatives of dolphins and whales) that live in fresh water. Its small size and cute 'smile' make it much loved in China and beyond. But we need to prevent it going the same way as the functionally extinct Yangtze river dolphin, also known as the Baiji.

After years of rapid decline, the latest census shows that the population of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise has remained almost stable in recent years – dropping very slightly to 1012 individuals from 1040 in 2012.

The porpoises are at risk from the same threats that the Baiji faced – including loss of food sources and boat collisions.

WHERE THE YANGTZE FINLESS PORPOISE LIVES

The Yangtze finless porpoise is found in the main Yangtze river channel in central and eastern China, and in two lakes, naturally connected to the river, in the central Yangtze - Dongting and Poyang.

Why the Yangtze finless porpoise is so important

Porpoises play an important role in keeping their environment healthy. They eat fish and other river creatures, which would otherwise increase in number and unbalance the local food chain.

Equally, porpoises are a good indicator of the health of their environment – if the river is overfished or polluted, the porpoises struggle to survive.

By protecting these porpoises we’re helping preserve healthy rivers and lakes – which a lot of people heavily rely on for food, provision of clean water and as source of livelihoods.

Donate

Challenges affecting the finless porpoise

Shipping and unsustainable fishing

Overfishing in rivers reduces the porpoises’ natural prey. Although they’re not directly targeted by fishermen, large numbers of porpoises are accidentally entangled in fishing gear, or struck by boats and ships.

Learn more and fishing and seafood
Loss of living space

Dams and sluice gates fragment rivers and cut off groups of porpoises from each other, creating small, isolated populations – so it’s harder for them to find food and to mate. Dams also change the natural flows and sediment in rivers. Sand dredging in lakes connected to the Yangtze is on the increase, in order to support rapid urbanisation. This dredging contributes to the destruction of finless porpoise habitat, and the dredging itself disturbs the porpoises. We're working to prevent the construction of sluice gates and dams that can lead to habitat fragmentation

Learn more about habitat loss
Agriculture and industry

Agriculture can cause a lot of pollution, which runs into the Yangtze and affects the finless porpoises' habitat. We're supporting farmers to use more sustainable farming methods to help combat this threat.

Learn more and food and farming
Threats from climate change

Climate change is causing an increase in water temperatures, storm frequency and changing river currents, which can decrease survival of the Yangtze finless porpoise. The only option is to change their habitat range, but the restrictive nature of river habitats means that there is no opportunity to move elsewhere. Changes to water currents also threatens food availability.

More about climate change

Find out more

How we're helping the finless porpoise

More Close
Get involved in water stewardship

We've developed tools to help businesses identify their water risks and opportunities and get involved in water stewardship.
Find out more
More Close
Working with business to improve our freshwater

We see business as a key ally in helping us find solutions through water stewardship.
Find out more
More Close
How we're managing water better

We're working with communities, governments and businesses worldwide to promote joined-up approaches to water management.
Find out more
More Close
Wildlife conservation in the Amazon

All our conservation efforts in the Amazon aim to protect the local wildlife, rainforests, and freshwater habitats.
Find out more
More Close
Conserving the Amazon's freshwater resources

The Amazon is the world's largest river and we are working to conserve its vital freshwater resources.
Find out more
More Close
Sustainable fisheries in the Mara wetlands

The UK Government’s Darwin Initiative, funds WWF collaborative work with local partners on sustainable fisheries management in Mara wetlands, Tanzania.
Find out more
More Close
Conserving Otters in the Karnali

Strengthening communities’ livelihood and stewardship to conserve Otters in the Karnali.
Find out more
More Close
Beavers Bringing Hope

We’re working in partnership with Norfolk Rivers Trust (NRT) to bring our world back to life by restoring Norfolk’s rivers and wildlife.
Find out more
More Close
Aviva access to nature fund

WWF, Aviva and Norfolk Rivers Trust, are giving £30,000 to help community groups in Norfolk connect with nature.
Find out more