Abstract:

It is of great significance to monitor the ecology and behavior of endangered species for biological conservation.However,systematic work has not been conducted on the population size,distribution and activities of the Yangtze finless porpoise〖WTBX〗(Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis)〖WTBZ〗in XinLuo Baiji National Nature Reserve,which is one of the three national in situ reserves for this subspecies.From July 2001 to June 2003,the population size,distribution,habitat selection,activity etc.of this animal were monitored by boat and bankbased observations in this reserve.Based on the results,several conservational suggestions were presented.The results indicated that in the reserve,population size of the Yangtze finless porpoise was estimated to be 50 to 64.They mainly lived in groups consisting of 2 or 3 individuals and frequently occurred in nearbank waters. Grouping activities were observed to occur from March to June,and both the occurring frequency and group size were much less than those of twenty years ago.It’s possible that these activities were related to foraging,resting and breeding. We suggest that limiting the speed of passing vessels,prohibiting the illegal fishing,and enhancing the monitoring of the nearbank waters should be conducted in the reserve,especially in the hot spots(Tuanzhou,Tudizhou,Longkou and Yaokou) and during the breeding seasons of the animals