Core Insights - The research team from the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the diurnal activity patterns of the Yangtze River dolphin through extensive acoustic monitoring, highlighting the impact of modern shipping on these patterns [1][5]. Group 1: Research Findings - Different regions show varying activity patterns for the Yangtze River dolphins, with wild dolphins preferring daytime activity while those in protected areas tend to be more active at night, primarily due to the influence of shipping activities [5]. - The presence of vessels and associated noise significantly disrupts the dolphins' sonar detection and communication abilities, leading them to alter their feeding behaviors based on shipping traffic [5]. - The study indicates that over 90% of the known activity patterns of 24 species of small cetaceans globally are nocturnal, similar to the nighttime activity observed in the Yangtze River dolphins [5]. Group 2: Environmental Impact - The Yangtze River, being one of the busiest inland waterways globally, poses a significant threat to the habitat of endangered species like the Yangtze River dolphin due to high-intensity shipping activities that compress their living space [5]. - The underwater noise generated by shipping has a severe and lasting impact on the dolphins, disrupting their natural behaviors and habitat [5]. Group 3: Conservation Efforts - Experts and volunteers at the event called for optimizing waterway design to provide the dolphins with adequate activity space, suggesting measures such as regulating vessel speed and traffic intensity in areas where dolphins are active [6]. - The Wuhan Baiji Dolphin Protection Foundation has initiated the "Listening to Dolphins Plan - Tranquil Yangtze" public action, aiming to implement sound environment control measures in the dolphins' habitats in collaboration with transportation and environmental departments [6].