Have you ever heard of the Yangtze finless porpoise? They are super cute animals living in the Yangtze River in China, and people call them the “giant pandas of the water”! 🐼🌊 But for a long time, scientists had a hard time finding and protecting them because they are really good at hiding. 🤫
Listening to the Porpoises
Guess what? Scientists figured out a way to “listen” to these shy porpoises using special underwater microphones called hydrophones! 🎤🌊 These devices can hear the special sounds the porpoises make, even if we can’t hear them with our ears.
The porpoises use high-pitched sounds between 20 and 160 kHz (which is super high!) to find their way around the river. It’s kind of like they have their own secret language! 🗣️🐬
High-Tech Tracking
The scientists from the Institute of Hydrobiology in China made special gadgets that can hear these sounds, figure out where the porpoises are, and even count how many there are! 📱📡
During the day, they attach these gadgets to boats, and at night, they leave them in the water to keep listening. They can even stay underwater for up to 120 days without needing a break! 😮⏰
Helping Porpoises Stay Safe
Not only do these devices find the porpoises, but they also help protect them from dangers like noisy ships. 🚢❌ By listening to the underwater noise, scientists can ask boats to slow down in certain areas, so the porpoises aren’t bothered or hurt.
Good News for Porpoises!
Thanks to this awesome technology, scientists found out that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has gone up for the first time in decades! There are now over 1,200 porpoises swimming happily in the river. 🎉🐬
Sharing with the World
The best part is that this technology is now helping other endangered dolphins and porpoises around the world! 🌍 Scientists are using it in places like Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to protect other special animals.
A Brighter Future
With plans to make the technology even smarter using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, scientists hope to learn even more about these amazing creatures and how to keep them safe. 🤖💡
One scientist said, “Protecting nature is something we’re doing for everyone. By sharing what we’ve learned, we hope to make the world a place with more wonderful animals.”
Listen Up!
So next time you think about the deep blue sea, remember the hidden sounds and the amazing technology that’s helping to save some of the world’s most adorable creatures! 🌊❤️🐬
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
