Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis)

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) is the world's only freshwater porpoise and a critically endangered species. With an estimated population of just over 1,000, it inhabits China's Yangtze River and adjacent lakes. Its survival is threatened by intense human activity, including ship traffic, pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation. Known for its high intelligence and playful "smiling" appearance, this aquatic mammal represents the ecological health of the Yangtze River system. Urgent conservation measures are underway to prevent its extinction, mirroring the tragic fate of the Baiji dolphin.