This fish species is called ‘swimming giant panda’, but scientists revealed that it may have already gone extinct
White Sturgeon, this fish species that many people have not heard of. It is a very precious freshwater fish and also the largest freshwater fish in our country. It is even one of the most famous freshwater fish in the world. It also has a special name called 'swimming giant panda', which shows its preciousness. This fish species is mainly distributed in the Yangtze River region of our country. However, in recent years, it has become very difficult to find this fish. Even scientists revealed that it may have already gone extinct.
White Sturgeon is a very ancient fish species, originating from the Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago. Previously, this fish species was distributed widely, but after the fourth Ice Age, the environment changed dramatically, which led to the disappearance of many of these fish. Therefore, it only survived in the Yangtze River basin of our country.
Of course, friends who have seen this fish species will have a very deep impression because of its peculiar appearance, especially its nose is very big and very prominent, so this fish also has a special nickname called 'elephant fish', which is very characteristic, like an elephant has a long nose.
In addition, its body size is also very large, about 2~3 meters, with a weight of 200~300 kilograms, and the longest can reach more than 7 meters. Therefore, it is one of the rarest and largest freshwater fish in the world.
In the late 1970s, this fish species was relatively easy to find. At that time, it was possible to catch this fish in the Yangtze River basin. However, the probability of appearing after that decreased, especially after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, which directly affected the upward flow of fish eggs in the downstream, leading to a sharp decline in the number.
However, despite this, this fish species was still discovered in the following decades, and our country has listed this fish as a rare and endangered species. The last time this fish species was found was in 2003. After that, this fish species has not appeared again. Research personnel have conducted extensive investigations to find the exact time of the fish's extinction, tracing a large number of eyewitness records, and even setting up fishing nets in the water to capture this fish.
The result showed that 330 kinds of fish were found, but there was no trace of this fish. According to eyewitnesses, this fish still appeared occasionally in the 1990s, but it completely disappeared around 2005. After that, no one has ever seen it again, so researchers believe that it is very likely that this species went extinct as late as 2010.
In simple terms, we may no longer be able to see the shadow of White Sturgeon. It is estimated that the disappearance of this species occurred between 2005 and 2010. In fact, in 2003, the Chinese Academy of Aquatic Sciences released a rescue White Sturgeon, but unfortunately, after the rescue ship grounded, the fish disappeared.
According to industry experts, so far there is no direct evidence, such as imaging, to prove that this fish species still exists as an individual. Therefore, some industry experts believe that this fish species may have already gone extinct. Of course, this is just a prediction, and there is no direct evidence to prove it, so experts are currently evaluating the situation.
It is very regrettable that this fish species has not been cultivated by humans, so there are no individuals left. However, the disappearance of this fish species has sounded an alarm for humans. Due to human destruction, the number of many species is declining sharply, such as the Chinese alligator. If we cannot protect and improve their living environment well, then more species may gradually disappear in the future.
