Spotted seals rest on mudflat of Liaodong Bay in Panjin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 9, 2024. As temperature rises, spotted seals inhabiting the Liaodong Bay in Panjin City, Liaoning Province, are entering their active period. Liaodong Bay, which is situated at the northernmost end of the ice-covered area in Chinese waters, represents the southernmost breeding area among the eight breeding zones for spotted seals worldwide. Designated as a national first-level protected wildlife species, spotted seals are the only pinniped marine mammals that breed in Chinese waters. In recent years, Panjin City has committed to preserving the ecological balance of its coastal areas, restoring 85,900 mu (approximately 5,727 hectares) of coastal wetlands and adding 17.6 kilometers of natural coastline. These efforts have created favorable breeding and habitat conditions for spotted seals migrating to the area annually. According to statistics, the population of spotted seals in Liaodong Bay has shown a steady upward trend year by year. It is estimated that this year's population will increase by about 20% compared to last year. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

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