Dedicated family provides safety net for protected dolphins
Years of efforts ensure local porpoise population sheltered from human activities
"The world is exploring how economic development and environmental protection can achieve a win-win situation because the two inherently conflict. The balance must be found in between," he said, adding that industrial development can bring rapid profits but also quickly impact the environment, whereas ecological protection requires a long-term commitment to see results.
"The population of white dolphins in Sanniang Bay has increased from fewer than 100 in 2005 to over 300, with an adequate number of female dolphins of reproductive age. Every year, three to eight dolphin calves are born and survive, forming a healthy natural population capable of breeding for generations," Pan Yue said.
Due to human activities dividing the habitats of white dolphins into small segments, the populations couldn't continue gene exchanges between groups, affecting the breeding of future generations.
"For example, in Hong Kong and Zhuhai, Guangdong, where economic development occurred earlier, urban construction impacted the surrounding white dolphin populations, putting them at risk of extinction," Zhao explained.
