Though the Chinese sturgeons are capable of living for decades, they reportedly don't reproduce often. Similar to salmon, the Chinese sturgeon or Acipenser sinensis spend most of their days in the ocean. They return to the rivers to reproduce, reports Newsweek.
According to a 2012 study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), animal populations in several Chinese ecosystems have dwindled down because of the country's economic boom which brought on handfuls of development and urbanisation.
Other findings compiled by WWF from various sources include a status on the Baiji or Chinese/Yangtze River dolphin population. The cetacean's population in China crashed to 99.4%, from 1980 to 2006, according to the findings.
According to Newsweek, in 2006, scientists declared them to be "functionally extinct." None of the species have since been seen. Another animal species, the Chinese alligator, fell by 97% from 1955 to 2010, according to the AFP.
The Chinese sturgeon have been "nicknamed aquatic pandas," said Xinhua. They have also been "listed as a wild creature under... national top protection."
Chinese sturgeon extinction now seems likely more than ever as there are no plans from the government to save the species by destroying newly-built dams. Not unless drastic action is taken.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
