A small but concise exhibition featuring specimens of the Chinese white dolphin and other marine species is being held at the Shenzhen Museum this winter to raise the public’s awareness of endangered species and the need to protect our environment.

    On loan from the Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin Reserve in Zhuhai, the five Chinese white dolphin specimens at the exhibition were made from stranded dead dolphins, according to Gu Xichun, head of the reserve.

    A Chinese white dolphin’s skin color changes throughout its life. At birth, the dolphins are black. They change to grey, then pinkish with spots when young and finally as adults, they are white. The five specimens at the exhibition precisely show the five different growth stages of a dolphin.

    The Chinese white dolphin is one of the world’s rarest mammals and it was the official mascot of the 1997 sovereignty changing ceremonies in Hong Kong. Due to water pollution, reclamation and frequent vessel collisions in the Pearl River Estuary, the dolphins face extinction. There are only 2,100 Chinese white dolphins left in the Pearl River Estuary, the body of water between Macao and Hong Kong, with the majority found in the mainland waters and the rest in Hong Kong.

    Other specimens at the exhibition include a rough-toothed dolphin, a Risso’s dolphin, a Chinese sturgeon, a minke whale and two green sea turtles.

    Meanwhile, sea shells including a Tribacna, a Cassis cornuta, a Charonia tritonis, a Cypraecassis rufa and a nautiloid are also on display.

    Dates: Until Feb. 18

    Open: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

    Venue: Shenzhen Museum, Block A, Civic Center, Futian District (福田区市民中心A区深圳博物馆新馆)

    Metro: Line 2 or 4, Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B

    (SD News)