Yangtze finless porpoise

Porpoises are part of a group of marine mammals called cetaceans, which includes all whales and dolphins
It is the only freshwater porpoise in the world and breeds just once in 18 months.
Yangtze finless has a level of intelligence similar to that of a gorilla.
These are very small compared to whales but move with high speed.
These are good indicators of the health of their ecosystem, hence called keystone species.

Threats

Overfishing increased shipping traffic, and noise pollution have all been linked with the decline of the porpoise.
Sand mining is also a potential threat.

Habitat

Finless porpoises live in the Yangtze River in China, where they can be found in the main river channel and:

Poyang and Dongting: two large lakes
Tien Ezhou and He Wang Miao: two ox-bow lakes

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Critically endangered

Sources:

https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-01/WWF_WiW_2017_Factsheet_Yangtze%20Finless%20Porpoise%20FINAL.pdf

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/critically-endangered-yangtze-finless-porpoise-return-to-lost-lake-stretches-after-sand-mining-ban-report-8719

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