Visitors observe the Chinese sturgeons at the Jinan Sunac Ocean World. [Photo/Jinan Times]

Jinan Sunac Ocean World recently welcomed 46 extremely rare, artificially-bred Chinese sturgeons, a national first-level protected animal. They are the first of their kind to live in the city, signifying a major step forward for Jinan in its efforts to protect aquatic biodiversity.

The Chinese sturgeon has existed for 140 million years, living alongside dinosaurs, making it an important reference for the study of biological evolution, geology, landforms, marine transgressions, marine regressions, and other aspects of Earth's evolution.

The longest sturgeon measures around 2.5 meters and the smallest about 70 centimeters. To ensure their healthy growth, the Jinan Sunac Ocean World and the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute have jointly formulated a detailed introduction plan and breeding management scheme, and installed a water treatment system.

The Chinese sturgeons can be observed by visitors up close, which has the potential to boost public awareness and participation in the protection of aquatic biodiversity.