Yangtze Finless Porpoise Protection: A Race Against Time
(长江江豚保护：与时间赛跑)
The Yangtze finless porpoise, a critically endangered freshwater mammal native to China's Yangtze River, has become a symbol of ecological conservation. Once thriving in the river, its population plummeted due to overfishing, water pollution, and habitat destruction. By 2012, fewer than 1,000 individuals remained, pushing the species to the brink of extinction[^1^].In response, the Chinese government launched a 10-year fishing ban in 2020, protecting 332 nature reserves along the river[^6^]. Scientists also established artificial breeding programs. In 2023, a mother porpoise named "Yingying" gave birth to a healthy male calf in Wuhan, marking a milestone in conservation efforts[^10^].However, challenges persist. Industrial waste and illegal fishing still threaten the porpoise's habitat. Conservationists urge stricter enforcement of environmental laws and public awareness campaigns to ensure the species' survival[^9^].
Questions
1. Why did the Yangtze finless porpoise population decline sharply?
A. Climate changeB. Overfishing and pollutionC. Lack of foodD. Natural disasters
2. What significant action did China take in 2020?
A. Built more damsB. Issued a 10-year fishing banC. Introduced foreign speciesD. Reduced pollution monitoring
3. What does the underlined phrase "blanket fishing moratorium" mean in Paragraph 3?
A. To introduce a new speciesB. To highlight conservation challengesC. To celebrate China's economic growthD. To discuss river pollution
Answers & Explanations
1. BExplanation: The text states that overfishing and pollution caused the population decline (Paragraph 1).2. BExplanation: The 10-year fishing ban is explicitly mentioned as a government measure (Paragraph 3).3. BExplanation: "Blanket" here means "comprehensive," and "moratorium" refers to a temporary stop. Context shows all fishing was halted (Paragraph 3).4. BExplanation: The article discusses threats and conservation efforts, emphasizing challenges (Paragraphs 1-4).
