銆€銆€The finless porpoise lives in the coastal waters of Asia, especially around Korea, India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Japan. [File photo]

銆€銆€The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will launch a survey of endangered finless porpoises on the Yangtze River, China's largest river, in November and December, the head of WWF's China office said Thursday.

銆€銆€The 40-day survey, the first of its kind to take place in six years, comes after more than 20 finless porpoises were found dead on the Yangtze River and two nearby lakes earlier this year.

銆€銆€The alarming deaths, which many believe were caused by pollution and human activity, have led some to worry that the porpoises could go extinct within decades if efforts are not made to preserve them.

銆€銆€WWF, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Institute of Hydrobiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will analyze the animal's population and distribution and evaluate the threats it faces, according to Peter Beaudoin, head of WWF's China office.

銆€銆€Based on the survey data, the agencies will offer suggestions regarding further protection efforts, including setting up new nature reserves, Beaudoin said.

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