Six players from the Wuhan Open tennis tournament visited the Baiji Dolphinarium on Oct. 7, 2025. (Credit: IHB)

Six players from the Wuhan Open tennis tournament visited the Baiji Dolphinarium of the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in the afternoon of October 7, 2025. They observed the Yangtze finless porpoise up close and experienced firsthand China’s commitment to endangered species conservation.

The visiting athletes included five international players, such as Lucia Bronzetti and Moyuka Uchijima, as well as Chinese Taipei player Hsieh Su-wei. At the Baiji Dolphinarium, Prof. XIE Shouqi, deputy director of IHB, introduced the institute’s long-standing mission in cetacean research and the globally recognized achievements in Yangtze finless porpoise protection.

Prof. ZHENG Jinsong, PI of the Research Group on Conservation Biology of Aquatic Animals at IHB, explained the finless porpoise’s behavior, current conservation status, and the ecological significance behind its “smile.” He emphasized the systematic measures taken by the Chinese government, including the Yangtze fishing ban, habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, and public outreach, which together form a comprehensive “safety net” for the species. Dr. Zheng expressed his hope that the players would help share China’s nature conservation results and stories with the world, while also wishing them success on the courts of the Wuhan Open. 

In the porpoise keeping area, the agile movements of the finless porpoises captivated all the visitors. The animals swam playfully, occasionally approaching the viewing window for a “face-to-face” encounter and showing off their signature “smiles.” The players happily recorded the moments on their phones and shared their admiration. To conclude the visit, the athletes took group photos with staff. IHB presented them with cultural gifts featuring the finless porpoise, and the players signed a guestbook and wrote down their heartfelt wishes, capturing the memory of this “ecological encounter.” 

This cross-sector interaction added a meaningful environmental dimension to the Wuhan Open, building a bridge between sports and nature conservation and showcasing China’s determination and action in protecting biodiversity to the world.

One of Wuhan Open Players Interacted with Finless Porpoises. (Credit: IHB)

The Wuhan Open players signed a guestbook and wrote down their heartfelt wishes, capturing the memory of this “ecological encounter.” (Credit: IHB)

Wuhan Open players posed for a group photo with IHB researchers and staff. (Credit: IHB)