Recently, good news surfaced from the waters of Leizhou Bay in Zhanjiang: a newborn Chinese white dolphin has been successfully delivered by its local "Chen Clan social group", bringing renewed vitality to this precious species.

According to experts, this is currently the peak breeding season for Chinese white dolphins, and the chances of spotting calves are relatively high. The newborn was observed in mid-July in waters near Leizhou Bay. Footage shows the calf, dark grey to black in color (which will gradually turn pale pink as it matures), swimming closely alongside its mother at all times.

Guangdong Province has the highest density of Chinese white dolphin populations in the country, with six established nature reserves. Among them, the Leizhou Bay population in Zhanjiang is the second largest Chinese white dolphin population in the world.

Researchers have found that the local dolphin population has formed four stable social groups, with a distinct distribution pattern reminiscent of traditional Hakka walled villages. The largest group, the "Lin Clan," inhabits the southern waters, while the other three, "Li Clan," "Chen Clan," and "Liu Clan", are distributed sequentially from north to south. In addition, there is an independent roaming subgroup known as "Mino," a name derived from "Minority," highlighting its unique status.

Over the past year, the research team has recorded a total of 12 Chinese white dolphin births in the waters around Zhanjiang.

Source:PEARL

中华白海豚新生宝宝亮相雷州湾

近日，湛江雷州湾海域传来喜讯：当地中华白海豚“陈氏社群”成功诞下一头新生幼豚，为这个珍贵的种群带来了新的生机。

据介绍，当前正是中华白海豚的繁殖高峰期，观察到幼豚的几率较高。新幼豚于7月中旬在雷州湾附近海域被观测到。从拍摄画面可见，幼豚通体呈灰黑色（成年后将逐渐转为粉白色），始终紧贴母豚身侧游动。

目前，广东拥有全国最密集的中华白海豚分布，共建有6个自然保护区。其中，湛江雷州湾种群是世界第二大中华白海豚种群。

科研人员发现，当地的中华白海豚种群已形成四个稳定的社群，其分布模式层次分明，恰似客家围屋村落。据悉，规模最大的“林氏社群”占据南部海域，其余三个社群由北至南依次为“李氏社群”“陈氏社群”和“刘氏社群”。此外，还有一个特立独行的游离小队被命名为“Mino”（意为少数派Minority）。

过去一年，研究团队在湛江海域共记录到12头中华白海豚新生儿。

文、图｜余胜容 通讯员 陆艳玲 刘彬帅
翻译｜钟佳
英文审校｜林佳岱