When Zeng Qianhui was a child growing up on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen City, east China, a statue of a Chinese white dolphin captured her imagination. Her mother told her that these precious dolphins lived in the waters near their island, sparking a lifelong fascination.
Years later, after becoming a professional marine biologist specializing in whales and dolphins, Zeng returned to Xiamen with a mission: to safeguard the beloved dolphins of her hometown.
The Chinese white dolphin, under China’s first-class state protection, faces numerous challenges. In Xiamen, a dolphin population of fewer than 100 shares the bustling waters with a metropolis of over 5 million people. Ferry traffic, coastal infrastructure development, water and noise pollution, fishing nets, and plastic waste all threaten their survival.
“I hope there is still paradise for them,” says Zeng, who now works at the Third Institute of Oceanography under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Zeng spends her days monitoring the dolphins’ living conditions and habitats, striving to understand and assist the species. The elusive nature of the dolphins makes her work challenging; days can pass without a single sighting.
To improve conditions for the dolphins, Xiamen has established a nature reserve specifically for them and is taking measures to control fishing activities and coastal development. Scientists like Zeng are at the forefront of these conservation efforts.
“Are you really happy?” Zeng often wonders about the dolphins. While the answer remains uncertain, she is dedicated to making their lives a little less stressful and a bit happier.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
