At the Shuangken section of the Anhui Yangtze Alligator National Nature Reserve, residents have become a key force in wildlife protection. "In our village, everyone is a patrol member. Protecting the Yangtze alligator is also about protecting our harmonious home," said ecological ranger Zhang Yongzhou on June 5, as he discussed changes in the area with colleagues.
On June 5, Zhang Yongzhou conducts an ecological patrol at the Shuangken section of the Anhui Yangtze Alligator National Nature Reserve. (Photo/Li Bo)
Zhang said conservation awareness among local communities has risen steadily in recent years. "People now have a much stronger sense of responsibility when it comes to protecting the Yangtze alligator," he added.
The Yangtze alligator, which has lived on Earth for over 200 million years, is a first-class protected animal endemic to China. The species, also known as the Chinese alligator, lives along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the longest waterway in the country.
Official data and on-the-ground observations show measurable progress. According to Ruan Shengyu, an officer at the local protection management station, surveys in 2018 recorded only a dozen Yangtze alligators in this area. In 2020, more than 550 mu (about 37 hectares) of habitat were restored, and over 160 captive-bred alligators were released back into the wild. "Some of the released alligators have already begun laying eggs and reproducing," Ruan said.
In recent years, the reserve has carried out habitat restoration tailored to local conditions, expanding protected areas and improving wetlands and water systems suitable for the species. These efforts have supported both population recovery and ecological stability.
Monitoring data from the national reserve shows a consistent upward trend. As of 2024, the number of known wild distribution sites for the Yangtze alligator has increased to 358, while the total wild population has surpassed 1,620 individuals.
(Credit to Anhui Daily)