Exploring the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Haven: Where Learning Meets River Conservation
July 18, 2023
The Yangtze finless porpoise, also known as a “living fossil”, is a critically endangered species unique to the Yangtze River Basin in China. To address the need for ecological and environmental protection of the river and its native species, Sembcorp officially opened the Yangtze Finless Porpoise Research & Learning Centre in October 2020.
Located in Sembcorp’s International Water Hub (IWH), the Centre was the result of a preliminary study of the Yangtze finless porpoise which the Group had commissioned a year earlier. Based on the study’s findings, the Learning Centre offers programmes and initiatives which aim to educate students and the general public on environmental protection of the Yangtze River, its ecosystem and the Yangtze finless porpoise.
One of the key highlights of the Learning Centre is its multimedia interactive learning experience, where visitors can take a virtual tour of the Yangtze River through the use of augmented reality. Visitors can learn about ecological changes and the impact of human activity on the river through an immersive 270° audiovisual experience.
The Learning Centre also provides researchers and other environmental protection groups the opportunity to collaborate and study the animals, thanks to the presence of several groups of Yangtze finless porpoises living in the area of Jiangxinzhou (Jiangxin Island) near the IWH.