A finless porpoise is taken for a physical examination in Jiangxi province. The species has been classified as critically endangered. Recent research may provide good news about the endangered species, as Cheng Si and Liu Kun report from Wuhan. The rate of decline in the number of finless porpoises in the Yangtze River may have slowed in the past six years, according to experts in the field. Wang Ding, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Hydrobiology, said official statistics will not be released until March, but recent research may indicate positive steps in the conservation of the species, which is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, the river's environment is still deteriorating as a result of overexploitation of natural resources, while waterway regulations and water-related construction projects pose great threats to the porpoise's natural habitat, Wang said. His comments came at the end of a scientific survey of the porpoise that was launched in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Nov 11. The survey, conducted by CAS, reviewed the status of the species in the Yangtze River, its major tributaries and two lakes called Dongting and Poyang. Financed by the World Wide Fund for Nature and charities in Hubei, the 40-day survey covered 3,400 kilometers of water, from Wuchang, Hubei, to Shanghai. In 2006, a survey found that there were 1,800 finless porpoises in the wild. However, the number had fallen to 1,405 by 2012, indicating an annual rate of decline of 13.7 percent. The number is now estimated to be less than 1,000, and the ministry placed the species under the highest level of State protection in May. Freshwater species The finless porpoise, a member of the toothed whale family, is so named because it lacks a true dorsal fin. Females produce a calf once every two years, and have a gestation period of 10 to 11 months. The species makes both high-and low-frequency tones and uses ultrasound to communicate. woven wristbandsslap wristbandspersonalized rubber braceletsbat fidget spinnerwristband creationcustom wrist sweatbands
GUANGZHOU - Metro officials said that starting on Wednesday, the city will provide women-only subway cars. There will be one such subway car for every train on Line 1, and it will be reserved for women during the rush hour, from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and from 5 pm to 7 pm on workdays, the subway operator said on Friday. During nonpeak times, men can also ride in those subway cars. We want to raise awareness about caring for and respecting women, Metro officials said in a statement. The company will seek public opinion after the trial period begins and make improvements as needed. The women-only restriction is, however, not legally binding, the statement acknowledges, since there is no legal basis for differential treatment on the public transit system. Couples, friends and families may want to stay together, so in those cases, it is not suitable to force male passengers out of the carriages, an official with Guangzhou Metro said. The city's subway operator made the decision following suggestions from political advisers. One of the advisers, Su Zhongyang, pointed out that many women complain about rush-hour traffic and say that women's generally smaller stature makes it all the more uncomfortable. Also, we want to stop any chance of women falling victim to harassment while riding the subway, Su said. According to Guangzhou police, 74 sexual harassment cases have been filed involving the Guangzhou Metro since 2015. I support having a women-only car. At least there won't be any uncomfortable stares when I wear shorts, said a woman who gave her name as Liang. Guangzhou has around 14 million people. Xinhua
