In a significant development for aquatic conservation, a small, half-translucent grey larva was observed hatching in the Chishui River of Guizhou Province, southwest China.

This event marks the first successful natural reproduction of the critically endangered Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) in the wild in more than 20 years.

The spawning achievement follows extensive efforts by researchers from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute under the China Three Gorges Corporation, alongside other institutions with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The primary objective has been to restore a species once integral to the Yangtze River ecosystem, now classified as critically endangered due to factors including water pollution and overfishing.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the Yangtze sturgeon extinct in the wild as of 2022, with the last confirmed natural spawning reported in the year 2000. Despite this dire status, conservationists remained resolute and initiated innovative methods to recreate suitable spawning conditions.

These efforts included the reconstruction of water flow and riverbed environments.

In the years 2023 and 2024, preliminary experiments were conducted in a controlled setting in Jiang'an County, Sichuan Province.

Researchers, including IHB's Liu Huanzhang, overcame initial challenges related to the environmental needs of the sturgeon.

With limited historical data, multiple experiments led to a better understanding of the species' reproduction requirements.

The team identified the Chishui River, a less industrialized tributary of the Yangtze, as an ideal location for their ambitious project.

Unlike much of the Yangtze River’s mainstream, the Chishui River remains relatively untouched and free from major damming.

In early 2025, researchers reconfigured a section of the river to create a conducive habitat for sturgeon spawning, employing technology such as drones and sonar for hydrological modeling.

The research team developed an 8,000-square-meter spawning ground, incorporating elements like carefully selected gravel and sand to mimic natural riverbed conditions.

On April 3, 2025, 20 adult sturgeons were released into this modified environment.

The monitoring commenced immediately, utilizing underwater cameras and sonar technology to observe potential breeding activity.

By the evening of April 12, researchers detected significant activity among the sturgeons, indicating mating behavior had begun.

Subsequently, fertilized eggs were located, with estimates suggesting over 200,000 eggs scattered throughout the spawning ground.

Under microscopic evaluation, scientists verified that the eggs were developing properly.

On April 16, the first hatchlings emerged, presenting conclusive evidence that the Yangtze sturgeon retains the capacity for natural reproduction in wild settings.

Liu Huanzhang remarked that this success showcases the potential for mature sturgeons from the artificially bred population to reproduce in their natural habitat, setting the stage for future natural reproduction.

Researchers indicate that the Yangtze sturgeon’s health is indicative of the broader ecosystem's status.

Liu Fei, an associate researcher at IHB, highlighted that the sturgeon’s survival is vital for the ecosystem’s health, and the techniques developed could serve as a model for the recovery of other endangered aquatic species.

The successful natural reproduction of the Yangtze sturgeon in the Chishui River is viewed as a critical achievement in ongoing conservation efforts, providing an essential foundation for long-term population recovery.

Researchers plan to continue monitoring the growth of the young sturgeons in their natural environment while optimizing protection strategies, aimed at sustaining both sturgeon numbers and the overall health of the Yangtze River ecosystem.